England centre Emily Scarratt says playing world champions New Zealand this autumn would be "massively important" for the team's developmentEngland, who won their third successive Six Nations title last weekend, play runners-up France in Lille on Friday. England lost the Rugby World Cup final to New Zealand in 2017, and have played the Black Ferns only once since, a 28-13 defeat in San Diego in 2019. England are currently number one in the world with New Zealand close behind. Defeat by France on Friday would cause England to slip behind New Zealand in the rankings. Scarratt, the 2019 World Rugby Women's Player of the Year, could find herself opposite Portia Woodman, the 2017 winner, if the teams do meet.

Source: BBC April 29, 2021 16:52 UTC