Rugby: Black Ferns to tour England

The world champion New Zealand women's rugby team are to play newly crowned Six Nations champions England twice during a three-match tour to England this year.

The Black Ferns will play tests against England on November 14 and 21, with a midweek match also scheduled against England A on November 17.

The matches will be held in London, with the venues yet to be confirmed.

New Zealand Rugby Union professional rugby general manager Neil Sorensen today said the tour would provide a huge challenge for the Black Ferns, with England 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 successive year.

Sorensen said the tour would also give players and management an opportunity to road-test their planning ahead of next year's World Cup in England

The Black Ferns have played England 10 times since 1997 and lost just the one match.

Their record also includes a win over England in the World Cup final in 2002 in Spain.

- NZPA