England battle New Zealand in the first of two colossal Test matches between the No 1 ranked side in the world and the world champions.
The Black Ferns, who are ranked No 2 in the world, host the World Cup in 2022, adding extra spice in the build-up to next year’s tournament. England’s Shaunagh Brown has promised “a huge physical battle” and “big hits, exciting runs and massive hand-offs”.
Simply put, this should be a gripping contest at Sandy Park in Exeter packed with thrills and spills. This will be a marker for England’s current level before they do it all over again against New Zealand before taking on Canada and the United States. While also a chance to back up their credentials from this year’s Women’s Six Nations, after triumphing 17-15 over France at the Twickenham Stoop to clinch glory after Poppy Cleall’s try.
Simon Middleton’s side are the slight favourites with the bookies, but you can barely split these two sides, despite the hosts missing outstanding centre Emily Scarratt due to a broken her leg, though that does present the intriguing debut of Olympic sevens star Holly Aitchison.
Follow all the latest updates, the latest score, analysis and reaction in a huge day for women’s rugby:
England 17-7 New Zealand, 52 minutes
England are denied again! Outstanding maul defence from New Zealand, first stymieing the initial drive and then getting bodies to the ball, preventing it from coming back as the maul falls shy of the white line. Scrum, New Zealand feed. Excellent from the Black Ferns’ pack shorn of their blindside flanker.
Harry Latham-Coyle31 October 2021 15:49
TRY? England think they have scored, but it looked like that was knocked on!
A meaty maul makes light work of New Zealand’s seven remaining forwards but it looked like Lark Davies lost control at the back.
The try is initally awarded but you’d expect Ben Whitehouse to chime in from the TMO truck.
Zoe Harrison places the bal on the tee and England’s backs make the long journey back to their own half in confidence, but here is Whitehouse’s input – NO TRY! Knocked on! The right call, but a penalty means England will go again at the lineout.
Harry Latham-Coyle31 October 2021 15:47
England 17-7 New Zealand, 50 minutes
The crowd lifts the noise as Abby Dow darts and Zoe Aldcroft makes yet more metres after a sharp inside ball from Abbie Ward.
Lagi Tuima dummies and bashes her way inside the New Zealand 22. A delicious dummy and plenty of power from the centre, and here goes Ward for the hat-trick…
The referee’s arm is raised! But it’s a penalty. And a yellow card! Alana Bremner fails to roll away and is sent for a ten minute sit-down, and England opt to head for the corner as they seek a fourth score.
Harry Latham-Coyle31 October 2021 15:45
England 17-7 New Zealand, 49 minutes
Another mishap at the set-piece from New Zealand, taking the lineout down but mis-transferring the ball back. England scrum feed.
Harry Latham-Coyle31 October 2021 15:43
England 17-7 New Zealand, 48 minutes
There is a renewed intensity to this contest now, with first Marlie Packer and then a great clutch of white shirts making their displeasure known to Kendra Cocksedge after New Zealand are awarded penalties on the edge of their own 22 and then halfway. Poppy Cleall comes bashing in to lend her support for her teammates – which draws Aimee Barrett-Theron to have a chat with England skipper Sarah Hunter.
Harry Latham-Coyle31 October 2021 15:42
TRY! England 17-7 NEW ZEALAND (Alana Bremner try, 45 minutes)
New Zealand hit back! They had to score early in this second period and they have.
Alana Bremner gets it, one of the stars of the Farah Palmer Cup over the last two years snaring herself a debut score, long-striding clear of the England defence after a kick from Chelsea Alley had spooned into her path. An inadvertent but effective set-up from the centre, and Kendra Cocksedge’s conversion from the outside of the right upright ensures it is a seven-pointer.
Harry Latham-Coyle31 October 2021 15:40
England 17-0 New Zealand, 44 minutes
Here goes Leti-I’iga, making metres down the left after a pass from captain Les Elder. Back in-field…
Harry Latham-Coyle31 October 2021 15:38
England 17-0 New Zealand, 43 minutes
What can the Black Ferns put together? Their best work so far has come with Ayesha Leti-I’iga on the carry but she is ignored as they play to the open side off the scrum. Twice forward carriers make half-bursts around the fringes, and advantage is coming as Hannah Botterman is caught with her hands in the cookie jar.
Harry Latham-Coyle31 October 2021 15:37
England 17-0 New Zealand, 41 minutes
England are again looking threatening to width as they launch their first attack of this second forty. Sarah Hunter’s hands are good as she pulls the ball back to Ellie Kildunne, but the full-back’s pass is a more abstract illustration, drifting forward from the fingers and knocked on by Lydia Thompson for good measure.
Harry Latham-Coyle31 October 2021 15:35
KICK OFF!
Kendra Cocksedge gets things back underway.
Harry Latham-Coyle31 October 2021 15:34