Alastair Telfer
BBC Sport journalist at Allianz Stadium

Meg Jones walked towards the referee to ask the question. She was very calm and it was clearly noted.

Great leadership.

Ruby Tui
New Zealand World Cup winner on BBC iPlayer

We talked about her in the pre-match Leti-I'iga - remember that name.

Ayesha Leti-I'iga thinks she's burst free and darted through for New Zealand's first try.

But the referee wants another look at this.

England's kicker is under a lot of pressure as she tries to hoof the ball away and skews her clearance out on the 22. A promising line-out position for New Zealand.

A first glimpse of what Black Ferns full-back Braxton Sorensen-McGee has to offer, spotting a bit of space on the right flank and trying to burst through the line.

New Zealand shift the ball back left but Sylvia Brunt gives up the ball. England scrum.

A bright start from New Zealand. They're up inside England's 22 and moving through the phases steadily.

England's Zoe Harrison gets play under way. Her kick is safely gathered by New Zealand.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Commentary of England versus New Zealand is available on BBC Radio 5 Live, with Sara Orchard joined by 2014 World Cup winner Katy Daley-McLean and former England international Topsy Ojo.

Click the 'watch & listen' tab at the top of this page or head to BBC Sounds.

Alastair Telfer
BBC Sport journalist at Allianz Stadium

England take up the same V formation that Owen Farrell's side took in the 2019 men's World Cup semi-final to face New Zealand's haka.

It was lucky that day. The crowd roar as they move forward.

Will the Red Roses return to winning ways this afternoon?

Thumbs up for an England win. Thumbs down for New Zealand.

Blue skies and sunshine at Allianz Stadium where the two sides have made their way onto the field.

Time for the anthems.

BBC iPlayer

You can follow live coverage from the Allianz Stadium on the BBC iPlayer or via the 'watch & listen' tab at the top of this page.

Alastair Telfer
BBC Sport journalist at Allianz Stadium

Ben and his sister Evie are here for their second Red Roses game.

They also attended the World Cup final at Allianz Stadium, which was almost exactly a year ago.

Evie's dad has said, with an extreme level of confidence, "She'll be here one day," so keep an eye on her.

It's too early to talk positions for Evie, but her favourite player is Ellie Kildunne.

Ben supports Wasps and is hoping his stint as a Bath fan doesn't last too long, given Wasps' demise.

His favourite player, unsurprisingly given he is a prop, is Ellis Genge.

I knew by the retro shirts that these guys love rugby.

England returned to action in the spring, winning an eighth consecutive Women's Six Nations title.

Although their record-breaking 39-match winning streak was halted by Canada in Exeter last Saturday, they have extended their unbeaten streak to 40 matches.

The Red Roses have won six and drawn one of their seven matches since winning the World Cup.

Image source, Getty Images

The past year hasn't been without its challenges. John Mitchell lost Abby Dow and Emily Scarratt to retirement following England's triumph while four players (captain Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward, Rosie Gilligan, and Lark Atkin-Davies) are absent through pregnancy.

The squad has also been plagued by injury, with Hannah Botterman, Alex Matthews, and Natasha Hunt among the more than 10 players to miss some or all of the Women's Six Nations - a tournament England had to "go to the trenches" to win, according to captain Meg Jones.

However, this shortage of personnel has enabled Mitchell to hand debuts to half a dozen players - Haineala Lutui, Demelza Short, Millie David, Christiana Balogun, Haidee Head, and Bryony Field, the latter impressing with two tries in two matches at hooker.

This weekend marks one year since England won the Women's World Cup for the third time, beating Canada 33-13.

How have the Red Roses fared since then?

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

More than 50,000 fans are expected at Allianz Stadium for the Red Roses' final home match of the year - a far cry from the three-figure crowds Natasha Hunt played in front of when her international career started back in 2011.

However, the scrum-half says it is no longer possible to fulfill all of the autograph and selfie requests after matches, leaving some fans disappointed.

"I didn't think ever in my lifetime I would be in a position where we'd get crowds the size that we do," Hunt told Rugby Union Weekly. "It is unbelievable and we definitely don't take it lightly.

"We're so appreciative and we absolutely adore our fans and love them and what they do for us and have done for us.

"But I do think we're in a tricky space at the minute where there's that expectation that everyone has to have a photo or a signature or something.

"Some of the girls have had DMs saying 'it would have made our day, we're disappointed' and it breaks your heart because you want everyone to have the best time ever."

You can read more here.

Alastair Telfer
BBC Sport journalist at Allianz Stadium

Having come from the Falkland Islands, it is hard to beat this pair for distance travelled.

Toyah supports the Black Ferns because of her father, and she has just got her New Zealand passport.

Growing up, there was no option other than to watch the All Blacks for her and her brothers.

Her mum, Nyree, added: "She will be going home disappointed."

Let's hope these two don't fall out.

Image source, Getty Images

Six-time world champions New Zealand have been in impressive form since the start of 2025, winning 15 and drawing one of their 17 matches.

Their only defeat came on English soil, losing to Canada in the World Cup semi-finals.

Earlier this year, they successfully defended their Pacific Four Series crown - their fourth title in six editions - while in the WXV Global Series, they followed up a 28-14 victory over France with a thumping 66-14 win over Scotland in Edinburgh last weekend.

The Black Ferns have won their past eight matches by an average margin of 31.4 points.

"Our players are built different, we're made for these moments," said head coach Whitney Hansen, who took up the role in last December.

"We've continued to grow each week and we're excited to put our rugby identity to the test against England."

Image source, Getty Images

Shaun Edwards has started a short-term coaching consultancy role with the Red Roses, working with defence coach Sarah Hunter for the remainder of the WXV Global Series.

Former rugby league player and Great Britain international Edwards is one of the most decorated coaches in rugby union, most recently winning three men's Six Nations titles as France's defence coach. He previously worked with London Wasps and Wales.

England back row Marlie Packer revealed Edwards' involvement with the Red Roses was partially inspired by his late mother, Phyllis, who regretted never having the opportunity to play rugby and encouraged her son to study both codes.

You can read more here.

England made a winning start to the WXV Global Series, recovering from 10-5 down at half-time to beat Australia 48-15 in Salford.

But their 39-match winning streak came to an end in Exeter last Saturday, drawing 26-26 with beaten World Cup finalists Canada - although they remain unbeaten in 40 Tests.

The two sides traded three tries apiece to head into half-time tied at 19-all, with Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (two) and Hannah Botterman crossing for England, who twice had to come from behind.

Bryony Field's second-half try was cancelled out by Canada's Olivia Apps and although England spent the final 20 minutes camped on the visitors' line, they couldn't find the crucial score.

Head coach John Mitchell says the result will inspire "greater things to come" from his side while the stats are also on their side for an immediate return to winning ways - England are unbeaten in 53 Tests on home soil and have won their past 13 Tests at the Allianz Stadium.