England Women to tour New Zealand in June

By Michael Cantillon

Image: England Women will tour New Zealand in June ahead of the World Cup in Ireland in August

England Women will travel to New Zealand in June to face the Black Ferns, Australia and Canada ahead of the World Cup in August.

The Red Roses will face the three nations as part of the 2017 International Women's Series between June 2-18, before turning attentions to the World Cup in Ireland.

A 28-player squad will make the trip to New Zealand with their first fixture taking place in Wellington against Australia on June 9, before a clash with Canada in Christchurch on June 13.

England will then conclude their tour at the Rotorua International Stadium on Saturday, June 17, taking on the Black Ferns immediately before the British & Irish Lions face the Maori All Blacks, in a stadium double header.

Image: Saturday’s 29-15 bonus-point win over Italy at the Twickenham Stoop has left England top of the Six Nations table

"We are delighted to be part of the International Women's Series in New Zealand this summer," said head coach Simon Middleton.

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"To be the best we have to play the best. Travelling to New Zealand, a fantastic rugby nation, to take on three of the best sides in the world will provide us with the ideal preparation for the World Cup in August."

The Red Roses are currently unbeaten in the 2017 Women's Six Nations and lead the table ahead of Ireland on points difference, who also have three wins from three.

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Image: England Women head coach Simon Middleton is looking forward to facing the best in the world

As things stand, England could be set for a Grand Slam clash in Dublin in three weeks' time and New Zealand coach Glenn Moore is under no illusions how tough they will be to face in the summer.

"England is currently ranked second, Canada third and Australia sixth so we are expecting a tough series. Every team is out to prove themselves," said Moore.

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