Build up to 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup begins
The world champion Black Ferns are to take on the newly-crowned Six Nations champions England in a three-match tour to England later this year.
The Black Ferns will play Test matches against England on Saturday 14 November and Saturday 21 November, with a midweek match against England A on Tuesday 17 November. The matches will be held in London with the venues yet to be confirmed.
NZRU Professional Rugby General Manager Neil Sorensen said the tour would provide a huge challenge for the Black Ferns, with the England women’s team confirming their position as European champions 10 days ago.
England beat Scotland 72 – 3 to win the women’s Six Nations championship for a record-breaking fourth year in a row.
“The Black Ferns tour to England will be an exciting challenge for the players and follows on from the great showing by the New Zealand Women’s Sevens team at the recent Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai,” Mr Sorensen said.
Mr Sorensen said the tour would also give the players and management a valuable opportunity to road-test their planning ahead of next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup which will be held in England
The Managing Director of the Rugby Football Union for Women, Rosie Williams, said: “The RFUW is delighted that the Black Ferns are coming to London to play international rugby against England. This is not only a great chance for us to test ourselves on the field against one of the best teams in the world, but also tremendous preparation ahead of the 2010 IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup in August and September next year.”
The Women’s Rugby World Cup tournament will be staged across London and will showcase the top 16 international teams in world rugby. The Black Ferns are the current world champions beating England 25 – 17 in the last World Cup in Edmonton, Canada, in 2006.
The Black Ferns have played England ten times since 1997 and lost just the one match. Their record also includes a win over England in the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final in 2002 in Spain.
Black Ferns tour to England match schedule
Saturday 14 November vs England
Tuesday 17 November vs England A
Saturday 21 November vs England
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