England Women to play New Zealand at Twickenham in September

Women's Six Nations winners England will play reigning world champions New Zealand at Twickenham in September ahead of the WXV 1 tournament, the teams announced on Thursday.

The fixture could possibly break the previous attendance record for a women's rugby match, after 58,498 spectators watched England beat France at the 82,000 capacity Twickenham in the women's Six Nations last year.

"Twickenham has been home to some hugely memorable matches involving our national teams and we expect this Test to join that list, with the massive rivalry the two teams share," New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson said in a statement.

Before their meeting with the Black Ferns on Sept. 14, England will face France at Gloucester Rugby’s Kingsholm Stadium on Sept. 7.

"We want to host and play against the best sides in the world ahead of 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."

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

England and New Zealand have met in five of the last six World Cup finals with the Black Ferns winning them all.

England will defend their title in the WXV 1 tournament, which features the top three teams from the Six Nations and Pacific Four Series, in September and October in Canada. They beat the Black Ferns 33-12 in New Zealand in last year's tournament.