Red Roses to tour New Zealand in June
England Women will face Australia, Canada and the Black Ferns in a three-match series in June.
A 28-player Red Roses squad will travel to New Zealand 2-18 June to take part in the 2017 International Women’s Series ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland in August.
The series includes a double-header at Roturua International Stadium on Saturday 17 June with the Red Roses taking on New Zealand before the British & Irish Lions face the Maori All Blacks.
England begins the tournament on Friday 9 June at Porirua Park, Wellington, where they take on Australia for the first time in seven years. The last time the two sides met England ran out 15-0 winners at the Twickenham Stoop in the semi-final of the 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
They then travel to Christchurch to play Canada at Rugby Park on Tuesday 13 June before finishing their tour in Roturua.
England Women head coach Simon Middleton said: “We are delighted to be part of the International Women’s Series in New Zealand this summer.
“To be the best we have to play the best. Travelling to New Zealand, a fantastic rugby nation, to take on three of the best sides in the world will provide us with the ideal preparation for the World Cup in August.”
Black Ferns coach Glenn Moore added: “England is currently ranked second, Canada third and Australia sixth so we are expecting a tough series. Every team is out to prove themselves.”
After three rounds of the 2017 Women’s Six Nations, the Red Roses are unbeaten and lead the competition on points difference following Saturday’s 29-15 bonus-point win over Italy at the Twickenham Stoop.
They return to the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday 11 March, when they take on Scotland (KO 1 pm). Tickets are available from £5 via the Harlequins website.
England Women fixtures, International Women’s Rugby Series
Australia v England
Friday 9 June – Porirua Park, Wellington
Canada v England
Tuesday 13 June – Rugby Park, Christchurch
New Zealand v England
Saturday 17 June – Rotorua International Stadium
(followed by Maori All Blacks v British & Irish Lions)
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