Red Roses announce first Twickenham match against Black Ferns for 12 years

England women will play their third standalone fixture at Twickenham in less than 18 months later this year, taking on New Zealand at HQ for the first time since 2012.

The September fixture was announced on Thursday, serving as preparation for the following month’s WXV1 tournament in Canada.

It will be a rematch of the final of last year’s competition that England won, and the Rugby World Cup final the year before in which the Black Ferns triumphed.

England will also play France at Kingsholm in preparation for the tournament, who will be competing in North America alongside Ireland and the top three teams from the Pacific Four Series – from which New Zealand are widely expected to qualify.

“We want to host and play against the best sides in the world before the 2025 Rugby World Cup,” England captain Marlie Packer said.

“Our last two games at Twickenham have resulted in the best two crowds ever recorded in women’s rugby, we want more.

“Playing the Black Ferns at the home of English Rugby is an unbelievable opportunity that doesn’t come around all too often.”

For exclusive stories and all the detailed rugby news you need, subscribe to The Rugby Paper website, digital edition, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day.