England will face an all-too-familiar opponent this weekend as they take on New Zealand in the Women’s Rugby World Cup final.
The Red Roses have made it to the finals in seven of the eight World Cups since their founding in 1991, and were crowned champions twice, in 1994 and 2014.
England have of course lost in five of those finals, but including four against this weekend’s opponent, New Zealand, who are by far the most successful team in the history of the women’s rugby union.
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The Red Roses will face New Zealand, who defeated them in four previous finals
New Zealand has won the competition five times and more than 40,000 tickets have been sold to this year’s grand final at Auckland’s Eden Park, such is the demand to see the two best teams in the world compete.
While New Zealand is confident of beating England in a fifth World Cup final, the Red Roses have won 30 test matches and may be in their best moment to overthrow their big rivals.
With the tempting showdown now fast approaching, Sports post takes you through everything you need to know.
When is New Zealand vs England?
The much anticipated clash between New Zealand and England will take place on Saturday 12 November.
The match kicks off at 6:30am, for those in the UK, which is 7:30pm local time on Friday night.
New Zealand last defeated England in the 2017 World Cup, with the match close to home for the Red Roses, in Belfast.
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Their 2010 win over England was well underway at London’s Twickenham Stadium.
This time, however, New Zealand will carry home field advantage with the match taking place at Auckland’s Eden Park.
How to watch the final?
The women’s Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and England will be broadcast live for free on ITV1, with coverage starting at 6am.
Viewers can stream the match online via the ITV Hub or ITV website.
Sports post will also be recording the latter live, so you can follow the action with us.
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Route to the final
New Zealand:
Group A: New Zealand 41-17 Australia
Group A: New Zealand 56-12 Wales
Pool A: New Zealand 57-0 Scotland
Quarterfinals: New Zealand 55-3 Wales
Semi-final: New Zealand 25-24 France
England:
Pool C: England 84-19 Fiji
Group C: England 13-7 France
Pool C: England 75-0 South Africa
Quarter-final: England 41-5 Australia
Semi-final: England 26-19 Canada
Team news
England have made three changes to their backline for the final, with Ellie Kildunne replacing Helena Rowland, Lydia Thompson from the right wing and Holly Aitchison at centre.
Cath O’Donnell, meanwhile, returns to the squad as a substitute, while prop Hannah Botterman is out of the game due to injury.
As for New Zealand, coach Wayne Smith has made one injury-forced change on his side, with Charmaine McMenamin number 8 ahead of Liana Mikaele-Tu’u.
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New Zealand XV
Renee Holmes; Ruby Tui, Stacey Fluhler, Theresa Fitzpatrick, Portia Woodman; Ruahei Demant, Kendra Cocksedge; Phillipa Love, Georgia Ponsonby, Amy Rule, Maiakawanakaukani Roos, Chelsea Bremner, Alana Bremner, Sarah Hirini, Charmaine McMenamin.
Replacements: Luka Connor, Krystal Murray, Santo Taumata, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Kennedy Simon, Ariana Bayler, Hazel Tubic, Ayesha Leti-I’iga.
England XV
Ellie Kildunne; Lydia Thompson, Emily Scarratt, Holly Aitchison, Abby Dow; Zoe Harrison, Leanne Infante; Vickii Cornborough, Amy Cokayne, Sarah Bern, Zoe Aldcroft, Abbie Ward, Alex Matthews, Marlie Packer, Sarah Hunter.
Replacements: Lark Davies, Maud Muir, Shaunagh Brown, Cath O’Donnell, Poppy Cleall, Sadia Kabeya, Claudia MacDonald, Tatyana Heard.
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