News that England will play France and New Zealand at home in September fills a large pothole in the road to next year’s World Cup.

The matches are placed prior to WXV1 which will bring the three sides together again in September and October in Canada.

It has been known for a long while that the Black Ferns were anxious to get back to Europe. Their matches in the Pacific Four and the two in the Laurie O’Reilly Cup, though useful, don’t confront them with the level of challenge they know they need after their close victory in the 2022 RWC final and the losses to England and France in last year’s WXV.

As usual, we aren’t given details of dates and locations yet; we don’t even know what form the Ferns’ tour will take. But we and they must hope they will meet Les Bleues at least once, and, who knows, other nations as well (Italy has been suggested as a possibility). What is certain is that they need as much international game-time as possible.

Excitement is mounting as nib Blues and Chiefs Manawa prepare to meet in the Super Aupiki final at Eden Park this Saturday. NZR have made great efforts to build the prominence of the tournament, but since it remains limited to four franchises, many Kiwis doubt its ultimate value.

The tour dates allow plenty of time for more fixtures next year; the RWC doesn’t start till August. The two European teams have the constant advantage of the Six Nations to keep the clockwork ticking, but the Black Ferns may well wish for further encounters before their all-important visit to England in sixteen months’ time.

England’s medical staff anticipate that her rehabilitation programme will now take approximately six weeks, ruling the right-arm seam bowler out of contention for selection for England women’s tour to the West Indies next month.

England women will depart for the West Indies on Friday 30^th September to play a five-match ODI series.

All five fixtures will be played in Jamaica during a two-week window, starting on Saturday 8^th and Monday 10^th October with the first two ODIs at the Trelawny Stadium in the Montego Bay area of the Caribbean island.

The remaining three ODIs will form England’s sixth round of matches in the ICC Women’s Championship, and will be played at Sabina Park, Kingston on 14^th, 16^th and 19^th October.

England women’s touring party for the West Indies will be announced next week.

Report courtesy of the ECB