Giants of women's game come face to face
England Women's captain Catherine Spencer has been quick to label the first of two tests against the New Zealand Black Ferns as "just another international", but with Women's Rugby World Cup 2010 looming on the horizon the significance of this weekend's match cannot be overlooked.
The Black Ferns have won the last three Women's Rugby World Cups - beating England in the finals of the last two - but arrived in London having played just four matches since claiming their last title in Canada in 2006.
By contrast England, who have not beaten the Black Ferns since 2001, have already played nine matches this year, claiming a fourth successive Six Nations title and more recently defending the Nations Cup crown along the way.
They have suffered only one defeat, albeit an historic first ever loss against Wales in 22 years of playing each other and one which denied them a record fourth consecutive Women's Six Nations Grand Slam.
England are therefore a more settled team, but despite losing captain Melissa Ruscoe (concussion) and her replacement Aroha Savage (ruptured Achilles tendon) before leaving New Zealand, new skipper Victoria Heighway remains confident the Black Ferns can triumph again.
"It is frustrating definitely not to be together more, but that's what we get for being at the end of the world," joked Heighway, the most capped Black Fern with 26 and a veteran of the 2002 and 2006 World Cup winning sides.
"It is difficult for us to settle on combinations when we have so few games together and rare matches at international level. However this year the NPC competition here has been much more competitive than in recent years and that has helped to drive a competitive edge.
Pretty special
"I play with Auckland and in the past we have sort of been expected to go out there and win all of our games, get to the final and win that as well. This year Wellington beat us and it was a much more closely run final. That has helped the players to get used to having more pressure at a higher level and get used to a tougher style of rugby when it is needed."
"Lots of our girls have never played England but for those of us who have we know what to expect. England have always had an immense pack, they are very physical and strong and there is an emphasis on that element to the game here which I guess is slightly different to what we're used to back home.
"We've got a strong running team and we like to play it quickly so throughout these games we will want to get stuck in but not get too tied into a contact game up front because we've got some great players out wide and we'd like to use that."
The second row is no stranger to playing England and was one of the Black Ferns' try scorers in their 25-17 final win three years ago. Eight other members of that match day 22 have also been named by new coach Brian Evans for Saturday's encounter at Esher Rugby Club.
Two of them, Casey Robertson and Amiria Rule (nee Marsh), are back in the line up for that first time since that final, the latter having been one of the stars of the tournament and the scorer of the late try that ended England's hopes of denying the Black Ferns a third successive world title.
"We've been together only one week and have travelled a long way for these Tests, but the players are fit, focused and ready to go," admitted Evans, who hands Kelly Brazier a test debut at full back.
"The experiences of the more seasoned players, as well as those returning to the team, has been invaluable for the newcomers. This is a pretty special squad."
A massive opportunity
New Zealand will also face England A back in Esher on Tuesday night before an historic double header at Twickenham, when the women's teams will follow the England v All Blacks encounter on 21 November.
"No team will come on a tour prepared to lose and we're no different, we want to win and beat England on their home ground but it won't be easy," added Heighway.
"In saying that, we also need to strike the right balance between trying to win the series and building for the World Cup and getting to see the players in action. It's a huge challenge for us and as captain the thought of running out at Twickenham in the third game is also really massive."
Her English counterpart Spencer will experience the same emotions that day, but for now insists that the Six Nations champions will simply be taking it as "just another international" and within their stride.
"This is just another international for us, we are not treating it as our biggest game since 2006 or anything like that," said the number 8. "It's just another match and another international. We will approach this game the same as any other match and follow the path that has always been successful to us in the past.
"We are well aware that this is a big opportunity for us.
"They have got an impressive record, and I know that they will have a side full of great rugby players. They will have great game sense, will be comfortable and skilful on the ball, but we have that level of skill too, and despite losing some key players we know that this is a massive opportunity for us to take a step up with one eye on the World Cup next year."
England: 1. Claire Purdy 2. Amy Garnett 3. Sophie Hemming 4. Rebecca Essex 5. Joanna McGilchrist 6. Heather Fisher 7. Maggie Alphonsi 8. Catherine Spencer (captain) 9. Amy Turner 10. Katy McLean 11. Fiona Pocock 12. Alice Richardson 13. Emily Scarratt 14. Katherine Merchant 15. Charlotte Barras.
Replacements: 16. Sam Reeve 17. Rosemarie Crowley 18. Tamara Taylor 19. Jane Leonard 20. La Toya Mason 21. Rachael Burford 22. Claire Allan.
Blacks Ferns: 1. Ruth McKay 2. Fiao'o Faamausili 3. Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox 4. Kimberly Smith 5. Victoria Heighway (captain) 6. Linda Itunu 7. Justine Lavea 8. Casey Robertson 9. Emma Jensen 10. Rebecca Mahoney 11. Carla Hohepa 12. Amiria Rule 13. Huriana Manuel 14. Victoria Grant 15. Kelly Brazier.
Replacements: 16. Claire Rowat 17. Beth Mallard 18. Vita Robinson 19. Olivia Coady 20. Kendra Cocksedge 21. Renee Wickliffe 22. Anika Tiplady.
With thanks to www.scrumqueens.com for additional reporting.
