Live match centre for the Rugby World Cup 2021 Final between Red Roses and New Zealand Women.

10 Nov 2022 | 5 min |

Preview: Red Roses vs New Zealand

Everything you need to know ahead of the Rugby World Cup final between the Red Roses and the Black Ferns.

Simon Middleton's side will be aiming to win a third World Cup title when they play New Zealand at Eden Park on Saturday after beating Canada in their semi-final.

Sarah Hunter will captain the side on her 140th cap with Alex Matthews and Marlie Packer bolstering the back row. A familiar lock pairing of Zoe Aldcroft and Abbie Ward has been named, while Vickii Cornborough returns to the starting lineup in the front row alongside Amy Cokayne and Sarah Bern.

When?	Saturday 12 November
Where?	Eden Park, Auckland
Kick off?	06:30 UK Time

In the backs, the trusted half back pairing of Leanne Infante and Zoe Harrison has been named, while Holly Aitchison returns to the fold. Emily Scarratt is vice-captain at outside-centre.

Abby Dow retains her place in the starting XV but shifts to the left wing, with Lydia Thompson occupying the 14 shirt. Ellie Kildunne will start at full back. The finishers consist of Lark Davies, Maud Muir, Shaunagh Brown, Cath O'Donnell, Poppy Cleall, Sadia Kabeya, Claudia MacDonald and Tatyana Heard.

You can watch the match live on ITV, follow updates on England Rugby's Instagram and Twitter accounts, and check out the reaction on EnglandRugby.com.

VIEWS FROM CAMP

Simon Middleton: "We're 100% ready for this. We know this is going to be a physical game and we're going to need a lot of energy on the field. We've got such a tight squad, both players and staff, and we've really enjoyed our time here. We said when we got here that we wanted to be a better team than when we arrived, and we've done that.

"For New Zealand, to lose in front of a home crowd is a tough gig, so it will be more intimidating for them and the pressure on them is absolutely massive. We thrive in high-pressure environments and I'm convinced Saturday will be no different. We're relishing the opportunity."

Sarah Hunter: "I feel like we've moved into a great space in terms of where this team is. It's a very different team to 2017 and we've come together as a group and I don't think we need to look back. We're here to do our own thing and we'll do that on Saturday.

"As a player, these are the games you want to play in. You put in the hours because this is what you want to play. If you don't enjoy the big occasions then you're in the wrong place.

"Whatever happens, we'll be able to look back and say that we've done something really special over the last three or four years. We said from the outset that it's got the potential to be the best World Cup that's ever been and it certainly hasn't disappointed so far."

PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS

2021: Red Roses 56-15 New Zealand

2021: Red Roses 43-12 New Zealand

2019: Red Roses 13-28 New Zealand

2017: Red Roses 32-41 New Zealand

2017: Red Roses 29-21 New Zealand

TEAMS

Red Roses

Starters

15. Ellie Kildunne, 14. Lydia Thompson, 13. Emily Scarratt (VC), 12. Holly Aitchison, 11. Abby Dow, 10. Zoe Harrison, 9. Leanne Infante, 1. Vickii Cornborough, 2. Amy Cokayne, 3. Sarah Bern, 4. Zoe Aldcroft, 5. Abbie Ward, 6. Alex Matthews, 7. Marlie Packer, 8. Sarah Hunter (C)

Finishers
16. Lark Davies, 17. Maud Muir, 18. Shaunagh Brown, 19. Cath O'Donnell, 20. Poppy Cleall, 21. Sadia Kabeya, 22. Claudia MacDonald, 23. Tatyana Heard

New Zealand

Starters

15. Renee Holmes, 14. Ruby Tui, 13. Stacey Fluhler, 12. Theresa Fitzpatrick, 11. Portia Woodman, 10. Ruahei Demant (C), 9. Kendra Cocksedge, 1. Phillipa Lowe, 2. Georgia Ponsonby, 3. Amy Rule, 4. Maiakawanakaukani Roos, 5. Chelsea Bremner, 6. Alana Bremner, 7. Sarah Hirini, 8. Charmaine McMenamin

Replacements

16. Luka Connor, 17. Krystal Murray, 18. Santo Taumata, 19. Joanah Ngan-Woo, 20. Kennedy Simon, 21. Ariana Bayler, 22. Hazel Tubic, 23. Ayesha Leti-I’iga

KEY STATS

England are currently on a 30-game winning streak, the longest ever run in women’s or men’s Test rugby history.

England have won their last two Tests against New Zealand, each by margins of greater than 30 points

New Zealand and England have averaged the most tries per game of any team at this year’s Rugby World Cup (7.6 each)

Either New Zealand (5) or England (2) have won the last seven editions of the Rugby World Cup

WORLD CUP JOURNEY

Round 1 - Red Roses 84 - 19 Fiji

Round 2 - Red Roses 13 - 7 France

Round 3 - Red Roses 75 - 0 South Africa

Quarter Final - Red Roses 41 - 5 Australia

Semi Final - Red Roses 26-19 Canada

Red Roses

12 Nov 2022 | 5 min |

Red Roses defeated by New Zealand in RWC Final

The Red Roses were beaten 34-31 by New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park.

Despite running in five tries in Auckland, Simon Middleton's side were unable to overcome an inspired Black Ferns side.

England took the lead inside three minutes, as Lucy Packer - a late call up to the starting side - set a rapid pace at the breakdown, firing passes into the path of her forwards who trundled up the field. With a penalty advantage, the ball was spread through the hands of Zoe Harrison and Emily Scarratt to Ellie Kildunne, who crossed the whitewash. Scarratt added the extras to make it 7-0.

The lead was extended by Amy Cokayne 10 minutes later, grabbing the visitors' second off the back of a trademark 10-metre lineout rolling maul, and Scarratt was on hand to convert the effort.

Momentum began to shift as England wing Lydia Thompson was shown a red card by referee Hollie Davidson for a high tackle on Portia Woodman, and the Black Ferns took immediate advantage of the extra player when Georgia Ponsonby went over for the hosts' first try.

Simon Middleton's charges responded via a Marlie Packer score, the flanker the benefactor at the back of another rolling maul. But the 19-7 lead was short lived, as New Zealand crossed in the 26th minute - Ayesha Leti-Iiga the scorer, and Renee Holmes added the extras to cut the deficit to five points.

The sides shared another score each as half time approached, Cokayne getting her second on 32 minutes - converted by Scarratt - and Black Ferns prop Amy Rule crossing for her first in the final play of the half to make it 26-19 at the break.

New Zealand scored within seconds of the resumption, spreading the ball wide they went the length of the field for Stacey Fluhler to dot down, and replacement Krystal Murray put the hosts in front for the first time when she scored on the 50-minute mark.

Finishers Poppy Cleall, Sadia Kabeya and Claudia MacDonald made positive impacts when they were introduced to the game, as the Red Roses began to chase the Test. When given the opportunity of an easy three-pointer in front of the posts, they opted for the corner instead, and it proved profitable - Cokayne surging over from another trademark rolling maul - the hooker securing her hat-trick, and handing England a slender 31-29 lead.

Black Fern Kennedy Simon was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Abby Dow as the hour mark passed, and in the time she was off the field, team mate Leti-I’iga put the Black Ferns back in control with her second try.

With three minutes to go, and down by three points, the Red Roses went in search of the win. Holding onto possession they forced a penalty in a promising position, and pumped the ball into the corner. The five metre lineout was stolen at the front, and New Zealand kicked the ball out to confirm the win.

TEAMS

Red Roses

Starters

15. Ellie Kildunne, 14. Lydia Thompson, 13. Emily Scarratt (VC), 12. Holly Aitchison, 11. Abby Dow, 10. Zoe Harrison, 9. Lucy Packer, 1. Vickii Cornborough, 2. Amy Cokayne, 3. Sarah Bern, 4. Zoe Aldcroft, 5. Abbie Ward, 6. Alex Matthews, 7. Marlie Packer, 8. Sarah Hunter (C)

Finishers
16. Lark Davies, 17. Maud Muir, 18. Shaunagh Brown, 19. Cath O'Donnell, 20. Poppy Cleall, 21. Sadia Kabeya, 22. Claudia MacDonald, 23. Tatyana Heard.

New Zealand

Starters

Replacements

16. Luka Connor, 17. Krystal Murray, 18. Santo Taumata, 19. Joanah Ngan-Woo, 20. Kennedy Simon, 21. Ariana Bayler, 22. Hazel Tubic, 23. Ayesha Leti-I’iga