The preparations continue for the Red Roses, as they take on the Black Ferns this Saturday at the Allianz Stadium. This battle between England, the world’s number one ranked side and New Zealand, the back-to-back Women’s Rugby World Cup winners, is set to light up Twickenham with a star-studded clash of Test match titans
This exhibition match is the final fixture for England head coach John Mitchell to iron out the creases, before the Red Roses go full steam ahead into WXV in Canada. The second of two stand-alone Test matches after last weekend’s win against France, England are eyeing up a serious momentum builder at the Allianz. In what could be a dress rehearsal for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup Final, the Red Roses are ready to put down a marker against the Black Ferns, with the pinnacle tournament creeping ever closer.
Mitchell was flanked by his vice-captain Zoe Aldcroft for today’s media duties, with the Gloucester-Hartpury lock sporting a brutal black eye after their morning’s training. Aldcroft explained how the shiner was a result of a contact session, following a coming together with Red Roses her captain Marlie Packer.
Emily Scarratt made the headlines following her return to the starting XV, in what will be the 100th England start for the Loughborough Lightning legend. Here are the top five talking points from this afternoon’s press conference, before the Black Ferns descend on Twickenham for a seismic match with the Red Roses.
1. Emily Scarratt selected at outside centre for her 100th Test match start
The spotlight will be shone upon Emily Scarratt as the stand out player in the England team, as the midfielder will make her 100th start for the Red Roses. In what will be Scarratt’s 112th cap for her country, the playmaker joins the exclusive company of her defence coach Sarah Hunter and former England prop Rocky Clark, as only the third Red Rose to rack up a century of Test match starts.
There is an additional narrative surrounding Scarratt’s selection, as the Loughborough star comes in to occupy the outside centre shirt. Initially vacated by the ankle injury to Leicester Tigers and Olympic Sevens talent Meg Jones, the 13 jersey was passed on to Helena Rowland for last Saturday’s win against France, before Scarratt returned to take up the midfield mantle for a partnership with Gloucester-Hartpury 12 Tatyana Heard.
Scarratt had previously been training in the 12 channel, after head coach John Mitchell identified a drop in the centre’s pace following a lengthy time out on the injury side-lines. However, Scarratt recently recorded a personal best sprinting time, and has proven once again to be the opportune choice for the Red Roses to take the arching runs around the outside of the Black Ferns defenders. Speaking on the selection of Scarratt, Mitchell and Aldcroft both shared their thoughts on her milestone cap.
JOHN MITCHELL: “So, I think the timing was perfect because it was a pre-season. Last year. She didn’t have that opportunity (to play), because she was (back) mid season, and we thought she was a little bit slower. So, hence we looked to use her skills here at 12. But because we had a preseason, it’s allowed her to hit the ground running with with speed and acceleration. She’s in good nick.”
“I’m expecting her to play really well on the weekend, and I’m expecting to see her experience certainly show. So yeah, it’ll really be based on performances. Reputation doesn’t really mean a lot to me. Experience and enthusiasm does.”
ZOE ALDCROFT: “I think Scaz is kind of a player that likes to keep things under radar and just go about her own business the way that she does. I think that’s an absolute credit to her. She’s had such an incredible career so far, and to be able to go out on Saturday against the Black Ferns is going to be really exciting for her.”
2. “New Zealand tradition” – John Mitchell explains why the Black Ferns met the King
With less than 72 hours before the Red Roses and Black Ferns meet at the Allianz, rugby fans were suprised to see the New Zealand players meet King Charles III at his residency. The Black Ferns received a royal welcome from the monarch at Buckingham Palace, and in their true charismatic style, asked the King for a group hug.
King Charles happily obliged, with the video of the Black Ferns and His Majesty’s unique meeting going viral on social media and published in news outlets across both hemispheres. A native New Zealander, Red Roses head coach John Mitchell has previously had the honour to meet members of the Royal Family, when he travelled to England as a member of the All Blacks coaching staff in the early 2000s. Mitchell explained how it is a custom for the Kiwi rugby players to meet the royals, whilst England lock Zoe Aldcroft had her attention focussed on a royal reception for the Red Roses.
JOHN MITCHELL: “For me, it’s pretty easy. It’s traditional for New Zealanders to go to Buckingham Palace. I’ve experienced that twice my own life, and very special to meet the Queen and her little little corgis at the time. I had the privilege of meeting Lady Di as well back then.
“It’s very much New Zealand tradition thing that happens when the All Backs and the Black Ferns come over here. It’s just great to see that they, as New Zealanders, they get that opportunity.”
ZOE ALDCROFT: “Obviously we were happy for them, we just can’t wait for our turn.”