The England women's rugby team, known as the Red Roses, are set to host three major international fixtures this September as part of the WXV Global Series. In a significant development for the women's Test calendar, England will welcome New Zealand, Canada, and Australia for a series of high-profile matches across different venues.
World Cup Final Rematch Headlines Fixture List
A rematch of last year's Rugby World Cup final will be a centerpiece of the series, with England facing Canada at Sandy Park in Exeter. The Red Roses secured their World Cup crown with a 33-13 victory over Canada in that final, making this encounter particularly anticipated by fans and players alike.
The fixture list also includes a clash with traditional rivals New Zealand at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium, and a match against Australia at CorpAcq Stadium in Salford. These matches represent a crucial opportunity for England to build on their World Cup success and continue developing the profile of women's rugby.
Calendar Revamp Gives Unions More Control
The WXV Global Series comes as part of a revamp of the women's international rugby calendar that has seen individual unions regain control of their home fixtures during the September and October window. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is understood to have been a key voice in advocating for this change as they seek to maximize the growth potential of the women's game.
"We embrace these massive occasions and there is not a lot better than a Red Roses v Black Ferns fixture," said newly appointed England captain Meg Jones. Regular skipper Zoe Stratford is currently pregnant, leading to Jones taking on the leadership role for this series. "It is always an incredible feeling to play against them but playing them at Allianz Stadium heightens that excitement even more."
Building on Record-Breaking Success
The Red Roses return to action comes after their historic World Cup final victory, which saw them sell out Twickenham Stadium. Their first match back will be against Ireland at the start of the Women's Six Nations, with close to 70,000 tickets already sold for that encounter.
In addition to the WXV Global Series home matches, England are also thought to be close to confirming a tour to North America in October as their international fixture list continues to take shape. This represents a significant expansion of their competitive calendar and provides more opportunities for fans to engage with the team.
Full WXV Global Series Schedule
The complete schedule for England's home matches in the WXV Global Series is as follows:
- Red Roses v Australia – Saturday 12 September, 3pm (CorpAcq Stadium, Salford)
- Red Roses v Canada – Saturday 19 September, 3pm (Sandy Park, Exeter)
- Red Roses v New Zealand – Saturday 26 September, 3pm (Allianz Stadium, Twickenham)
All matches are scheduled for 3pm kick-offs, providing consistency for fans planning to attend or watch the games. The venues represent a mix of traditional rugby strongholds and newer locations for women's international matches, reflecting the RFU's strategy of taking the game to different parts of the country.
This series represents a significant moment for women's rugby in England, building on the momentum generated by their World Cup victory and the growing popularity of the women's game. With matches against three of the world's top rugby nations, the WXV Global Series promises to deliver high-quality international competition and further elevate the profile of the Red Roses.
