England women's rugby team beat world champions New Zealand
- Published
A try by vice-captain Maggie Alphonsi helped England beat New Zealand 10-0 at Twickenham in the first match of their three-game Test series.
It helped England gain revenge for their 13-10 defeat by the Black Ferns, external in last year's World Cup final.
Flanker Alphonsi got onto the end of Emily Scarratt's break to score after 30 minutes.
Fly-half and captain Katy McLean added the conversion and then kicked a second-half drop goal.
England team: Danielle Waterman (Worcester), Katherine Merchant (Worcester), Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), Kimberley Oliver (Bristol), Michaela Staniford (Wasps), Katy McLean (capt, Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), La Toya Mason (Wasps); Rochelle Clark (Worcester), Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield), Sophie Hemming (Bristol), Rowena Burnfield (Richmond), Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Rebecca Essex (Richmond), Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens), Sarah Hunter (Lichfield).
Replacements: Amy Turner (Richmond), Laura Keates (Worcester), Marlie Packer (Bristol), Alexandra Matthews (Richmond), Natasha Hunt (Lichfield), Rachael Burford (Richmond), Kay Wilson (Richmond).
England autumn international series:
29 Nov: England v New Zealand, Esher RFC, 1900 KO, live on www.rfu.com/englandwomenlive
3 Dec: England v New Zealand, Esher RFC, 1400 KO, live on www.rfu.com/englandwomenlive