England put 40-match unbeaten run on line against Black Ferns at Twickenham
England put a 40-match unbeaten run on the line against New Zealand on Saturday.
The Red Roses, the nickname for England's women's team, face the Black Ferns, the nickname for New Zealand's women's team, at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on 26 September. The Test, the term rugby uses for an international match, follows a 26-26 draw with Canada last week England Rugby. That result kept England unbeaten but ended a winning sequence stretching back to 2022 The Guardian.
Kick-off is at 15:00 BST in the 2026 WXV Global Series. The WXV is rugby union's annual global competition for women's national sides, played in different tiers. Almost 60,000 supporters are expected at Allianz Stadium, the home of English rugby in south-west London.
New Zealand were the last team to beat England. That defeat came in the World Cup final four years ago. England have won the three meetings since then.
Two of those wins came in quick succession in 2024. England won 24-12 at Twickenham in September 2024 after racing into an early lead. A month later they won 49-31 in WXV 1, with Breach scoring a hat-trick and Abigail Dow and Ellie Kildunne scoring two tries each. The sides have not met since October 2024, a gap of almost two years.
England are led by head coach John Mitchell. New Zealand are led by Whitney Hansen, who took charge in December 2025 and was still unbeaten heading into this weekend. England added Shaun Edwards as a defence coaching consultant in the build-up week, bringing in a coach renowned for organising tackling and defensive lines.
Recent World Cup history links all three teams. England beat Canada to win the 2025 World Cup final. Canada had reached that final by beating New Zealand in the semi-final, with New Zealand then winning the bronze medal. That is why the draw with Canada stung, even though it extended England's long unbeaten sequence.
What makes this stand out is the mix of familiarity and change. England have not lost since 2022. New Zealand have a new head coach, a fresh record and a point to prove after missing the last final. For fans, this means a full Test occasion in front of a huge crowd, with recent scores and a four-year grudge on both sides.
