England to Host France and New Zealand Ahead of WXV 1 Tournament

England’s Red Roses are gearing up for an exciting autumn as they prepare to host France and New Zealand in the build-up to the WXV 1 tournament. The Women’s Six Nations winners will first take on France in Gloucester on September 7 before welcoming the reigning world champions, New Zealand, to Twickenham a week later.

The upcoming fixture at Twickenham could potentially break the attendance record for a women’s rugby match, after a record-breaking 58,498 spectators witnessed England’s victory over France in the Women’s Six Nations last year. The Red Roses will be looking to continue their success as they face off against the Black Ferns, who have emerged victorious in five of the last six World Cup finals.

England captain Marlie Packer expressed her excitement about hosting top-tier teams in preparation for the 2025 Rugby World Cup, highlighting the incredible support the team has received in recent matches at Twickenham. The Red Roses, under the guidance of coach John Mitchell, are coming off a sixth consecutive Women’s Six Nations title and will be looking to defend their WXV 1 title in Canada.

The WXV tournament features three tiers, with England competing in WXV 1 alongside France, Ireland, and the top three teams from the Pacific Four series. The tournament will take place in Canada from September 27 to October 13, with Scotland returning to defend their WXV 2 title.

As the Red Roses gear up for an action-packed autumn, fans can look forward to thrilling matches and the opportunity to support their team on home soil. With the prospect of record-breaking attendance and fierce competition on the horizon, the stage is set for an unforgettable series of matches for women’s rugby.