The Red Roses were beaten 34-31 at Eden Park last November and interim head coach Louis Deacon says the “players are looking forward to going back” to the scene of that defeat.
“Losing the final was devastating, but a lot of us have got great memories of New Zealand,” Deacon said. “The players are looking forward to going back.
“The biggest thing is that they want to improve and it is an opportunity for us to test ourselves against the Black Ferns, Australia and Canada.”
Split across three pools, the WXV will provide more competitive games between World Cups. Promotion and relegation has been introduced between levels two and three.
England are in WXV1, the top tier, along with New Zealand, France, Canada, Australia and Wales with all games played in New Zealand, with Deacon’s side kicking off against Australia in Wellington on October 20.
England named the 30-player squad without any input from incoming head coach John Mitchell, who will link up with the squad following the conclusion of his duties as forwards coach of Japan at the men’s World Cup.
Helena Rowland has been given a vice-captaincy position, and Deacon wants to stop moving her around positions and focus on her wearing 13.
This story is from the October 08, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 08, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
England show who's No.1
ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
HONEYMOON periods are not set in stone and in my estimation Steve Borthwick’s ends this summer. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in good shape.
Barrington ready to power up the Mob
RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.
Skivington keen to build identity
GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.
Roebuck targets England success
WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.