England's Prepping for Big Test Against World Champions

England’s head coach John Mitchell has emphasized that his team must rise to New Zealand’s high standards when they face the world champions at Twickenham next weekend. Last November, England defeated New Zealand to win the inaugural WXV1 title, avenging their loss to the Black Ferns in the 2022 World Cup final. As the world number one side, England started their WXV1 title defense with a solid 38-19 victory over France on Saturday.

Despite the win, Mitchell acknowledged that improvements are necessary for the upcoming match against New Zealand. He noted that while the win was positive, there were areas for improvement such as reducing mistakes and speeding up their play at the breakdown. Mitchell emphasized the importance of fine-tuning these aspects as the team prepares for their clash with the Black Ferns.

England’s win over France which extended their unbeaten streak against Les Bleus to 14 games showcased their strength. Mitchell aims to continue building trust within the squad as they approach the game against New Zealand. He highlighted that meeting the standards set by the Black Ferns will be crucial for success. England captain Marlie Packer, who scored the opening try against France expressed pride in her team’s performance.

She acknowledged the need to stick to their pre-season processes and praised the team’s resilience despite a chaotic game. Packer is excited for the upcoming match, describing it as a clash between the world number one team and the world champions. She encouraged fans to secure their tickets promising a highly physical and electric encounter that promises to be a highlight of the year.