Street has included 12 survivors from the 2010 Rugby World Cup in his starting line-up with a further two world cup players on the bench. England last played the Black Ferns in the final of that tournament with New Zealand taking a narrow 13-10 victory.

Darlington Mowden Park Sharks fly-half Katy McLean will captain England with Margaret Alphonsi as vice-captain. In the pack Vicky Fleetwood, who has five caps, starts at hooker with the experienced Rochelle Clark and Sophie Hemming making up the front row. Tamara Taylor, Rowena Burnfield, Rebecca Essex, Alphonsi and Sarah Hunter, who most recently captained England in a two-test series against France, make up an experienced England pack. Over 250 caps is shared between England’s backs, which sees the likes of McLean and Danielle Waterman return to the starting line-up so England can also boast a tried and tested backs unit.

Street, whose side are sharing Saturday’s Twickenham billing with the all-star line-up of the Barbarians and Australia, kick off 230pm, said: “I have picked a really experienced side with this being our strongest available 22 at the moment. We have also got some younger faces in this team too but by going to France earlier this month that exposed them to some big pressure games. It was a testing week for them but their ability to perform in those conditions shows why they deserve to be in this squad.

“On Saturday I think the key battle will be at the breakdown and it will also be important for us to control the ball but also the tempo of the game. We’ve had a week in camp leading up to this game and that has been invaluable preparation. We have been able to work on various aspects of our game and to iron out any issues from this season’s programme.

“Certainly over the past 12 months we have made a conscious effort to improve all areas of our game, especially game understanding. We have learned lessons from the 2010 world cup final, where we didn’t play that well, and I am certainly expecting us to be a much stronger side this time around.”

Since the world cup final England have gone on to dominate the Six Nations Championship, with a sixth consecutive title and Grand Slam, whilst also taking the top honours at the Nations Cup. New Zealand, however, have not played an international test match since that game, though for Street he is by no means underestimating this Black Ferns side.

He added: “New Zealand may not have played an international test match for 14 months, but that is exactly where they were at before the world cup so you can always rely on them to pull out the performance when it matters. For most teams not playing regular international rugby would affect them but for New Zealand it never seems to matters.”

Saturday’s game marks the first of three test matches between England and New Zealand this autumn. The two sides will also clash on November 29th and December 3rd at Esher RFC.

England

15 Danielle   Waterman      (Worcester)

14 Katherine Merchant       (Worcester)

13 Emily         Scarratt          (Lichfield)

12 Kimberley Oliver  (Bristol)

11 Michaela  Staniford        (Wasps)

10 Katy           McLean          (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) (C)

9 La Toya       Mason            (Wasps)

1 Rochelle     Clark   (Worcester)

2 Victoria       Fleetwood     (Lichfield)

3 Sophie        Hemming       (Bristol)

4 Rowena      Burnfield       (Richmond) 

5 Tamara       Taylor(Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

6 Rebecca     Essex(Richmond)

7 Margaret     Alphonsi        (Saracens) (VC)

8 Sarah          Hunter            (Lichfield)    

Replacements:

16 Amy           Turner            (Richmond)

17 Laura        Keates            (Worcester)

18 Marlie        Packer            (Bristol)

19 Alexandra            Matthews       (Richmond)

20 Natasha   Hunt   (Lichfield)

21 Rachael   Burford           (Richmond)

22 Kay            Wilson            (Richmond)

McLean, who will lead her side for the first ever time against the mighty Black Ferns, is a survivor of the 2010 Rugby World Cup final which England narrowly lost 13-10 to their arch rivals.

Saturday marks the first time these two sides have met since the RWC and there is no doubt that the rivalry between England and New Zealand is as fierce as it has ever been.

Fly-half McLean, in her second season of captaining England, said: “We have been in our training camp for four days now and we have fitted a lot in. It is great being back in the camp environment; there’s a brilliant atmosphere with the new players fitting in well with the more experienced heads. It is certainly a good place to be at the moment.

“We have covered a lot in the time we’ve had and we are feeling good right now. Now it is a matter of counting down until Saturday as we can’t wait for this challenge. It’s time to stop talking off the pitch and do it on it and we are really ready.”

McLean knows better than most how devastated England were 14 months ago when New Zealand were crowned world champions. It was the third world cup final in a row where England failed to topple the all-conquering Black Ferns. But with time for reflection McLean is adamant that England and New Zealand are evenly matched rivals which will undoubtedly provide a thriller of a match on Saturday.

The Darlington Mowden Park Sharks player added: “A year ago we didn’t play so well. There is no doubt that New Zealand played better than us on the day but it was down to a performance on that day rather than there being a massive gulf between us and them. I know that if we had played the game we wanted to then we could have won.

“New Zealand are a phenomenal side but I think the pressure is on them. They are the world champions and I know if we can play at our best we have the ability to defeat them. The Twickenham pitch suits us and we have a good winning record there and we have every intention of maintaining that. New Zealand are not unbeatable.”

Saturday’s game signals the first of three test matches between England and New Zealand this autumn. The two sides will also clash on November 29th and December 3rd at Esher RFC.

England Squad

Margaret        Alphonsi        (Saracens)

Rachael         Burford           (Richmond)

Rowena         Burnfield       (Richmond) 

Rochelle        Clark   (Worcester)

Rebecca        Essex(Richmond)

Victoria           Fleetwood     (Lichfield)

Hannah         Gallagher      (Saracens)

Sophie           Hemming       (Bristol)

Natasha         Hunt   (Lichfield)

SarahHunter            (Lichfield)    

Laura  Keates            (Worcester)  

La Toya          Mason            (Wasps)

Alexandra      Matthews       (Richmond)

Katy    McLean          (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

Katherine      Merchant       (Worcester)

Kimberley      Oliver  (Bristol)

Marlie Packer            (Bristol)

Claire Purdy(Wasps)       

Alice   Richardson   (Richmond)

Georgina       Roberts          (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

Emily  Scarratt          (Lichfield)

Michaela        Staniford        (Wasps)

Amy    Turner            (Richmond)

Tamara           Taylor(Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

Danielle         Waterman      (Worcester)

Kay     Wilson            (Richmond)

England Autumn International Series

• Nov 26th England v New Zealand, Twickenham Stadium, KO 5pm, live on Sky Sports HD 1 Red Button
• Nov 29th England v New Zealand, Esher RFC, KO 7pm, live on www.rfu.com/englandwomenlive
• Dec 3rd England v New Zealand, Esher RFC, 2pm, live on www.rfu.com/englandwomenlive

The former Leeds Carnegie centre signed a two-year contract this summer and is a month into preparations for the HSBC Sevens World Series that kicks off in Australia later this year.

Vickerman, 25, is one of 12 centrally contracted players whose routine is based around weekly three-day camps in London, solitary fitness work at home and a warm-up tournament in Spain before the series starts at the Gold Coast Sevens on November 25-26.

"I set high standards for myself in terms of fitness – I like to think that’s one of my strongest points – but this is just a completely different world," said Vickerman.

"You can be fit and agile and fast in a 15s world and when you come into a sevens environment you’re bottom of the ladder and it’s a long way up.

"There are some unbelievable athletes in this squad. You just have to look at some of the results we’ve been getting in fitness scores. They are literally world class athletes in their own right – very powerful, very pacey and with that they have rugby brains, too, so coming into this environment I have had to get switched on pretty quickly."

England, who finished third in last year’s series, are in their second season with full-time players to cope with the athletic demands of a sport booming following its Olympic inclusion from 2016, as well as an expanding list of global tournaments.

After kicking off in Australia, they defend their Dubai title (December 2-3) before heading to South Africa’s new venue in Port Elizabeth (December 9-10). The series restarts in 2012 with tournaments in Wellington, Las Vegas, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Edinburgh ahead of its conclusion at Twickenham with the Emirates Airline London Sevens.

Vickerman is adjusting to the switch from the 15-a-side game after making more than 50 Aviva Premiership appearances, as well as featuring in 10 Sevens World Series tournaments, having made his England debut as an 18-year-old in 2004.

"(Coming over) was a huge decision to make and a lot more people will have to decide in the future whether they want to go down the sevens route or to 15s," he continued.

"I was lucky enough to get to my 50th Premiership game which was a big thing. I’ve had my frustrations with injuries but that was a real milestone and I’m very proud about it.

"I’ve got a lot of things I want to achieve in the sevens world, though, and really wanted to give that a go. For me to come into the full-time environment is the best way to do that. You’re wholly focused on being a sevens player.

"There are only 12 contracts in the country on offer and it’s a prestigious thing so it does drive me on. Many other people, particularly on the sevens social circuit, would really want to be where we are and we’ll have to work hard to keep it that way."

To reach the high standards required, the squad work on their own outside the training camps. Vickerman tops up his fitness in local parks or in the Edge gym on the outskirts of Leeds, but is alert to the temptations of over-training.

"You have to be able to put the extra miles in," he explained. "You have to be able to get up early in the morning to drive yourself and motivate yourself, knowing that, if you don’t, other people are going to leave you behind.

"A massive part of it can be fear of failure – of letting people down when you are back home – and, with that, it becomes frustrating.

"When you are doing sprints on a treadmill or in a park it’s sometimes hard to come away, but you have to realise that you have to. It’s a great way to train but you have to spend a lot of time getting the psychology of it right. We all have to be smart about it."

adidas and the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) are proud to unveil the 2011 All Blacks jersey.

The new jersey, which has been designed and tested in conjunction with several senior All Blacks including captain Richie McCaw, was unveiled for the first time when the All Blacks took the field against South Africa in their opening Investec Tri Nations match at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, tonight, Saturday 30 July.

The new strip marks the biggest changes – in technology and design – to the iconic All Blacks jersey in more than a decade.

Although the most obvious change is the white collar – which pays tribute to the legacy of the All Black legend – the entire jersey has been rebuilt from scratch, using custom-created new fabrics and ground-breaking technologies.

“It’s pretty awesome to be involved in creating a new All Blacks jersey,” says McCaw. “People all over the world recognise the jersey, and of course Kiwis feel extremely strongly about it, so to make a change to it is a big deal. This new jersey is revolutionary – but it’s still very much an All Blacks jersey. It’s still something I’m very proud to wear.”

“This is the most advanced rugby jersey in the world,” says adidas New Zealand country manager David Huggett. “It sets a new standard in comfort and performance.

“adidas and the All Blacks have been working towards this moment for more than two years. We’re thrilled to finally be able to introduce the new All Blacks jersey to New Zealand and the world.”

Huggett says the new white collar pays tribute to those teams who wore the iconic All Blacks jersey with the white collar for most of the 20^th century, including the 1987 All Blacks side, one of the most successful teams in the long legacy of the All Blacks.

The technology in the 2011 jersey is so advanced that there is only one machine in the world that is capable of making it – and adidas has secured the exclusive rights to it. This machine made it possible for the torso of the jersey to be created as an anatomically shaped tube, ensuring a perfect seamless fit.

The 2011 jersey is 50 per cent lighter than its predecessor, but just as strong. The revolutionary seamless manufacturing technique sets new standards in comfort and fit. And, for the first time, adidas’ patented ClimaCool technology is built into the main body of the fabric to keep players cool and dry.

Huggett adds: “It is both an honour and a great challenge for adidas to have the responsibility for creating this new All Blacks jersey in one of the most significant years in New Zealand sporting history.

“The All Blacks jersey is one of the most powerful symbols of New Zealand pride, worn by the most successful sports team in the world. It doesn’t get any bigger than that.”

The auction is one of the number of rugby led initiatives aimed at raising funds and showing support for the people of Canterbury and will go live the same day as the All Blacks v Fiji For Canterbury Test.

The NZRU’s principal partner adidas has donated a range of limited issue international memorabilia from some of the world’s leading sporting teams and stars such as Liverpool and Chelsea football jerseys signed by the respective teams.

All Blacks commercial partners have gifted everything from the latest technology in mobile phones to exclusive clothing with proceeds going towards the Government’s Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

NZRU CEO Steve Tew said items such as a football signed by the 2010 World Cup winning Spanish Football team or a one-off signed “For Canterbury” All Blacks Jersey are expected to attract strong international interest.

“While Friday’s All Blacks v Fiji Test brings together thousands of supporters giving back to Christchurch, thanks to the generosity of our partners we are pleased to provide an opportunity for others to show their support,” he added.

“Sports fans all over the world will have the chance to bid for some truly memorable events and exciting gear,” he said. 

New Zealand online auction site www.sella.co.nz/allblacks
has generously agreed to host the auction and allow bids from overseas. Sella.co.nz and DPS, the payment gateway provider, have both waived their commission to ensure the maximum amount goes to help rebuild Canterbury. 

The auction went live today at 12 noon Friday 22 July. Bidding on individual items will close throughout the day starting from 10am on Saturday 6 August.

Christchurch City Mayor Bob Parker said he’s extremely grateful for the kindness being shown to the city following the recent earthquakes.

“I’m continually moved by the wonderful, heartfelt support this city has received from all around the country, and internationally. The fundraising effort by the New Zealand Rugby Union is another example of people’s generosity and desire to support our beautiful city in its time of great need. ”

Tickets for the Dunedin for Canterbury Test Match are still on sale.

Ticket sale details:

All Blacks v Fiji, Carisbrook, Dunedin, 22 July, 7:35 pm

Children: from $25, Adults: $50-$115       

Ticket Direct       Phone : 0800 224 224

Online:  www.ticketdirect.co.nz 

The announcement is a further boost to Rugby’s premier age grade event and comes just five days after New Zealand defeated England in a pulsating final of a record-breaking 2011 Championship in Italy.

The Championship captured the hearts and minds of the Italian public with capacity crowds turning out to watch 30 matches that pitted the world’s best players at Under 20 level against international opposition in a competition that is a proven springboard to the Test arena.

With the IRB Junior World Championship 2012 taking place in South Africa, the awarding of the 2013 event to France underlines the IRB’s commitment to a long-term hosting strategy which enables the Host Union to maximise event and legacy benefits geared towards delivering a world class Championship and boosting participation.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset made the announcement at a special media launch at Versailles attended by stars of the Game past, present and future.

“The International Rugby Board is delighted to be awarding France the right to host the IRB Junior World Championship in 2013,” said Lapasset.

“The Fédération Française de Rugby, with its considerable major event hosting experience, is perfectly positioned to not only deliver an outstanding showcase for the future stars of world Rugby, but also a platform for Rugby to continue to reach out to new audiences and participants across France.”

“With France also having been awarded Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014, this announcement underlines the appetite for hosting major international Rugby events following the tremendous success of Rugby World Cup 2007. I am sure that both events will be tremendously successful.”

FFR President Pierre Camou added: “The Fédération Française de Rugby is proud to have been selected to host the IRB Junior World Championship in 2013. We have two years to deliver an outstanding event that will provide magnificent competition and a base from which to attract more young participants to Rugby in France. We are also proud that the IRB has shown confidence in our capacity to take up the challenge of hosting major international events.”

Since the IRB Junior World Championship began in 2008 almost 100 players have progressed to win full Test caps for their countries, underscoring its significant development role. Many of the players on show in Italy look set to follow the likes of Mathieu Bastareaud, Benjamin Fall and Wencelas Lauret for France, and other graduates including David Pocock, Patrick Lambie, Courtney Lawes and Zac Guildford to Test stardom.

The IRB Council selected the Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR) as the Host Union following a recommendation from the Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) Board to approve a tender that clearly demonstrated a commitment to delivering a world class environment for teams and fans and a platform to grow Women’s Rugby in France and throughout the world.

England captain Katy McLean, whose side finished second in the 2010 tournament after a narrow defeat to New Zealand, said: “I think that this is a very exciting opportunity for France and European rugby as a whole and a great opportunity to build on the success on the 2010 World Cup that was staged here in England. France are an extremely competitive nation and I have always had great experiences when playing in France. They always manage to get great crowds at their international games, which creates a wonderful atmosphere and I’m sure that this won’t be any different in 2014.

“The world cup in 2010 was a major success for the women’s game, helping to raise the profile of the game to new levels. As a player it was a great event and an amazing experience. It certainly set the standard for future events and really I just can’t wait for it all to begin again.

“I hope that in three years time I will still be captaining England – there is no greater honour than captaining your country at a world cup. And of course after finishing second at the last two world cups we want to go one better. Any team entering a world cup wants to win and we are no different. We need to keep building on our performances and ensure that we are fully prepared. It’s a long time off yet and we have other important challenges ahead first but at the end of the day we are all looking towards 2014.”

Details regarding the global qualification process for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 will be announced later this year with qualifying expected to kick-off in 2012.

New Zealand’s World Series win was confirmed after they beat Argentina in the quarter final.  New Zealand lost the subsequent semifinal against a strong Fijian side and South Africa defeated Fiji 24 – 14 in the Final at Twickenham.

Tietjens said the team was delighted to have secured their ninth Sevens World Series title.

“We didn’t play as well as we had previously and that might be due to the massive break between tournaments, so we were probably feeling a little rusty.  But the guys have put in a lot of hard work, and they can hold their heads high.  We’re really pleased to come away with the Series, and I’m very proud of the team,” he said.

The team now focusses on the last leg of the Series in Edinburgh on 28 and 29 May.

“It really is a great feeling going into the next tournament knowing we have secured the Series, but we will be very determined to come back and finish the year on a high,” Tietjens said.

On the injury front, Bryce Heem from Auckland has been ruled out of the Edinburgh tournament and he will be replaced by Rory Grice from Waikato.

One of the pioneers of 3D production in New Zealand, 3DLive will deliver a 3D feed of the Rugby World Cup 2011 semi-finals, Bronze Final and Final, taking advantage of the latest next generation technology to give viewers around the world a unique experience of Rugby’s showcase Tournament.

The groundbreaking deal means that viewers watching the matches will experience the sheer immediacy and visual clarity of the action as if they were on the pitch themselves.

3DLive will produce a theatrical feed for cinema and big screen venues in New Zealand and Australia and this feed will also be available to global partners. A broadcast feed will be available to all RWC 2011 Rights Holding Broadcasters.

RWCL Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “This announcement represents a significant development for Rugby World Cup and underlines our commitment to ensuring that Rugby fans around the world are able to enjoy the latest broadcast technology."

“Over four billion television viewers enjoyed the last Rugby World Cup. In a sport where innovation and tradition go hand in hand we will give Rugby fans a new viewing dimension that will enhance their experience of a tournament that continues to reach out to more men, women and children through all media platforms.”

“We are proud that Rugby World Cup can serve as a platform for advancing technology and the viewing experience and we are delighted to be partnering with a company that has a wealth of experience in 3D production and technology.”

3DLive Director Ronel Schodt said: “3D technology offers a stunning new perspective to traditional 2D Rugby coverage. You really do feel as if you’re in the front row of the stadium. It’s an experience that’s as close as you’ll get to being at the live match.”

SKY NZ Chief Executive John Fellet said that the Host Broadcaster intends to be the first broadcaster in New Zealand to deliver 3D programming.

“We are pleased and honoured to be part of the first 3D sporting event ever generated in New Zealand. While we are still working through the technical and operational requirements it is our intention to offer these 3D matches to SKY subscribers and our hospitality industry partners.”

In addition to making the broadcast feed available to Rights Holding Broadcasters, 3DLive will also provide a solution for offsite 3D viewing areas with venues in New Zealand and Australia set to be announced shortly and global providers later this year.

The Barbarians have added three more of world rugby’s biggest stars to their squad to face Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday 4^th June – Mathieu Bastareaud, Paul Sackey and Carl Hayman.

The 48-times capped All Black prop Hayman, who currently plies his trade at French top 14 club Toulon, will join a front row already boasting Ireland and Munster centurion John Hayes (104-caps).

England wing Sackey, also at Toulon, and French centre Bastareaud (Stade Francais) join a back line featuring three former Rugby World Cup winners in South Africans Ruan Pienaar (Ulster), Francois Steyn (Racing Club) and England and Biarritz full-back Ian Balshaw.

The quartet of Italian Talisman Sergio Parisse, Basteraud, Pienaar and Hayes will all be making their Barbarians debuts, adding their names to an illustrious list of more than 3,760 players who have worn the famous black and white hoops since 1890.

“Every summer we take the opportunity to bring a wide range of players together from the top echelons of the rugby world and invariably there are a number of quality internationals who are privileged to make their Barbarians debuts,” said Barbarians team manager Alan Evans.

“The names of Parisse, Bastareaud and Pienaar will sit comfortably in the great history of Barbarians rugby and it is also with great pride that we have the opportunity to reward John Hayes for the great service he has done to Irish rugby by handing him his Baa-baas debut.”

Wales skills coach Neil Jenkins, a Barbarian on six occasions himself, has backed the newcomers to revel in the unique philosophy of Baa-baas rugby.

Jenkins played for the Barbarians agianst Ireland in Dublin, Scotland at Murrayfield, South Africa in Cardiff, Leicester Tigers twice – at Leicester and Twickenham – and Newport at Rodney Parade.

He was on the losing side on two occasions, against the Springboks and in the Tigers match at Welford Rd, but it is also worth noting that the Barbarians have beaten all three of the top Southern Hemisphere nations, a feat that some of the Home Unions have yet to achieve.

“When you play for the Barbarians there is a different atmosphere, you prepare in a different way,” said Jenkins.

“The build up is more relaxed, they’ll have a couple of training sessions but they’ll get to know each other in that week leading up to the game and won’t do the same physical work the international side will do.

“It’s more reminiscent of how you might prepare for a match in your younger days at school or for your local club, you are relying on your own skill and the talents of those around you on a match-day to win the game.

“But the difference is that the talents of those around you are the honed talents of some of the best international players in world rugby. 

“The Barbarians will be going out there to enjoy themselves and entertain the crowd, but they are all winners so enjoying themselves will mean they will want to win.

“The Baa-baas have won all over the world playing like this, sometimes when you can relax in this way it brings out the best in rugby players and the games can be quite something to watch.”

The Barbarians have now named nine of their squad for their tour this summer, which also sees them face England at Twickenham before the English head for Cardiff in August.

Australian legend George Smith, who is set to partner Parisse in the back row, completes the list.

“There is no doubt that this Wales team will have to be right at the top of their game to win this match, with some of the top names in world rugby already on the Baa-baas team sheet, and nothing less than a win is going to be good enough for us either,” added Jenkins.

“There can be similarities with the Barbarians and some of the South Sea Island teams, they can throw off the shackles sometimes and come at you and we will have to be ready for that with both Samoa and Fiji in our World Cup group,”

Wales have lined up against the famous black and white hoops on six occasions losing four times and winning just twice – when Jenkins was capped in 1996 and in the last outing in 2004.

The other capped international against the Barbarians was Wales’ first in 1990, which the Baa-baas won 31-24.

Tickets remaining for the summer RWC warm-up fixtures against the Barbarians and England at the Millennium Stadium are priced at £40 and £30 for adults, £100 for a family ticket (2 adults 2 children) for the Baa Baas game and £110 family ticket for the England match, with a new category introduced this season of £15 for the under 18s enclosure.

The final game on homes soil against Argentina is priced at £30 and £20 for adults, £70 for a family of four and £15 for the under 18s enclosure.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.wru.co.uk/tickets or by calling the ticket hotline 08442 777 888.

Fixtures:

Sat 4 June 2011 – Wales v Barbarians, Millennium Stadium (KO tba)

Sat 13 Aug 2011 – Wales v England, Millennium Stadium (KO 2.30pm)

Sat 20 Aug 2011 – Wales v Argentina, Millennium Stadium (KO tba)

Wales v Barbarians: Full record

Wales 24-31 Barbarians, Cardiff Arms Park, 06-10-90 L CAPPED

Wales 31-10 Barbarians, Cardiff Arms Park, 24-08-96 W CAPPED

Wales 38-40 Barbarians, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, 20-05-01 L

Wales 25-40 Barbarians, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, 29-05-02 L

Wales 35-48 Barbarians, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, 31-05-03 L

Wales 42-0 Barbarians, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, 26-05-04 W