England secured the inaugural WXV1 championship with a 33-12 victory over world champions New Zealand (The Black Ferns) in Auckland.
This win made England the only unbeaten team in the WXV top tier. Facing the team that defeated them in last year’s World Cup final, England raced to a 19-0 lead with three tries in the first 23 minutes. Despite New Zealand’s efforts to close the gap, England held firm, sealing their victory and retaining their top spot in the world rankings.
England’s dominant performance marked a strong comeback after their World Cup final defeat in November 2022. They ended the transitional 2023 with a perfect record of 10 wins from 10 games, including a Six Nations Grand Slam. The Red Roses will continue to build momentum as they prepare for future tournaments, with their sights set on hosting the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
