New Zealand v England Women's World Cup final predictions and rugby union tips

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for New Zealand v England in the final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup on Saturday.

Where to watch

ITV, 6.30am Saturday

Best bet

New Zealand +6
1pt 10-11 Coral, Ladbrokes

Already advised

New Zealand to win World Cup October 6
1pt 2-1 general

Final preview

The Women’s Rugby World Cup has gone exactly to form so far and if that trend continues, England will be crowned world champions for a third time at the expense of hosts New Zealand.

The Red Roses’ status as odds-on favourites for Saturday's final is easily justified on paper given they are the world’s top-ranked side, have won their last 30 Tests and crushed New Zealand 99-27 on aggregate over two meetings last autumn.

However, those 2021 encounters were the first games the Black Ferns had played in two years and Wayne Smith’s side have steadily improved since then, winning their last 11 matches to reach a fifth World Cup final.

New Zealand have won all four finals they’ve played, beating England on each occasion, and will have a record-breaking Eden Park fully behind them come matchday.

Those in attendance will see a clash of styles with New Zealand eager to utilise their devastating backline of Ruby Tui, Portia Woodman and Renee Holmes, while England will look for their powerful pack to punch holes in the home side’s line.

The Black Ferns were faced with a similar problem in the semi-final against France and although their chaotic attack was stifled at times, they created enough to edge a nail-biter 25-24.

England’s defence will certainly be tested by Woodman and co, as it was in their own nerve-jangling semi-final win against Canada, who edged the territory and possession battles but didn’t take their chances.

New Zealand won't be so wasteful if they get the same opportunities and could keep it close against an England team who are yet to show their best side in this tournament.

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