Preview: Engand V New Zealand test series

The upcoming series between England and the World Champion Black Ferns promises to be a thrilling three-test battle between the two leading names in the womens game. With the three games being played in just over a week, the series will be a major test for the two 26-player squads.

Both sides will field much changed outfits from the teams who contested the World Cup Final over a year ago with retirements and injuries playing a role. England have a new captain with Catherine Spencer now retired and there is no Jo McGilChrist or Charlotte Barras who are injured. For New Zealand's part there is no Carla Hohepa, last year's IRB Player of the Year, nor is Anna Ricards travelling while captain Melissa Ruscoe has retired.

First to the home nation England; who have left nothing to chance for this series with a meticulous build-up and preparation schedule behind them.

Since these two sides last met, in the 2010 Womens Rugby World Cup Final, which New Zealand won 13-10, England coach Gary Street has had ample opportunity to test the depth of his top players with the Six Nations, European Trophy, Nations Cup and two recent tests against France giving him the best possible idea of his best team for the first test at Twickenham next weekend.

England are the reigning champions in the three major tournaments they entered this year, though lost their last two most recent tests in France. Those losses, while denying England momentum going into these games, won't concern Street too much having used them as an opportunity to blood new caps and young talent while at least eight of his top players were rested.

Back in the mix now are the likes of Maggie Alphonsi, Katie McLean and Nolli Waterman, who will add a huge amount to Englands cause.

Englands marketing posters for this game declare that England have Unfinished Business with New Zealand, which might be news to the Black Ferns who will probably feel that the real business was done last year when they took the World Cup back home with them.

Nonetheless England will take a year of regret with them into these games and with home advantage in my book, they go into the games as slight favourites.

Unlike England, New Zealand havent played a single game since the World Cup Final, relying on the strength of their domestic NPC and their own training camps to provide them with the intensity they need for major games like this. Like England though, New Zealand havent had wholesale retirements since the World Cup itself, though there is a change in captain with talented fullback Victoria Grant taking the helm from the retiring Ruscoe.

There is no Anna Richards for the Black Ferns, with the flyhalf who pulled the strings so well last year, not selected for the series and how they fill that position will be key for them next week.

Unlike the three test series two years ago between these two sides, the midweek game this time around is not an A selection and with both teams relying on 26 player squads, three tests in one week will be a massive challenge.

With the first game at Twickenham being shown live on Sky Sports, the RFUW have also decided to live stream the other two tests at Esher meaning that fans around the world can watch these games live.

It is set to be a classic tussle wherever you watch it.

The two teams will meet first at Twickenham Stadium on November 26th, kick off 5pm following the Australia versus Barbarians clash. The teams will then meet again on November 29thand December 3rdat Esher RFC.