The 2017 Old Mutual Wealth Series and Cup has been confirmed for both the England senior men’s and women’s teams.
England Women will play three fixtures against Canada, finishing the series at Twickenham Stadium on November 25 at the conclusion of the men’s game against Samoa. Dates and venues for the opening two games are still to be confirmed.
Last month’s Old Mutual Series saw sell-out crowds at Twickenham stadium for the men and record numbers attending the women’s fixtures. The near 4,000 fans who watched the Red Roses match against the Black Ferns at the Twickenham Stoop was a stadium record for a women’s match.
England Women’s captain Sarah Hunter, who last month was named World Rugby’s Women’s Player of the Year said: “This season, through the support of Old Mutual Wealth, we enjoyed a truly world-class autumn series. It has helped provide great preparation as we build towards the 2017 Women’s World Cup and set a marker for all there is still to do to be the best in the world.
“It was great to have record numbers of fans for home women’s games, and we look forward to building on that next year as women’s rugby in this country continues to grow.”
The senior men will play three Test matches next season at Twickenham stadium against Argentina (November 11), Australia (November 18) and Samoa (November 25). Matches will kick off at 2:30pm and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports HD.
Both Argentina and Australia were beaten by Eddie Jones’ side as part of this season’s four-game autumn series. England won all four matches and finished the year unbeaten.
An England XV will also take on the Barbarians in the Old Mutual Wealth Cup at Twickenham on May 28th. The match will take place the day after the Premiership final and before England fly to Argentina for a two-Test series in June.
England Head Coach Eddie Jones said: “This season’s Old Mutual Wealth Series was fantastic for England and we had brilliant support from 82,000 fans every week.
“These block of matches are an important step in our preparations for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan and we look forward to playing in the 2017 series against three tough opponents in Argentina, Australia and Samoa.”
Paul Feeney, Chief Executive, Old Mutual Wealth, said: “This year’s Series was a huge success and we are delighted to announce the details of next year’s Old Mutual Wealth Cup and the Old Mutual Wealth Series fixtures. This is an incredibly exciting time for England Rugby and we are proud to support them as we look ahead to what will be a series of thrilling fixtures.”
Old Mutual Wealth’s support of England Rugby extends from the men’s and women’s elite game to the grassroots through Old Mutual Wealth Kids First – England Rugby’s approach to rugby for 6-13 year-olds. It gives children the opportunity to prosper by fostering an environment for having fun, learning and building confidence.
Tickets for the Old Mutual Wealth Cup fixture in May against the Barbarians are available from £5 for children and £25 for adults from 10am on 14th of December via englandrugby.com/tickets
Report courtesy of England Rugby
