Rugby: All Blacks to face England in World Cup warm-up at Twickenham

  • 16/12/2021

The All Blacks will square off with old foes England as part of their annual northern tour next year.

On Thursday (NZ time), England's Rugby Football Union confirmed they will host the All Blacks at Twickenham on November 20, just 10 months out from the start of the World Cup in France.

The teams haven't met since England knocked the All Blacks out of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan with a 19-7 semi-final win.

The All Blacks haven't visited Twickenham since November 2018, when they fought back from a 15-point deficit to win 16-15.

England will also take on world champions South Africa, Argentina and Japan in a series which has been described by coach Eddie Jones as a "mini World Cup".

"These fixtures will be a really important part of our preparation for the 2023 World Cup," Jones says.

"It's almost a mini World Cup in itself and we're fortunate to have it less than a year before the tournament. 

"It will be a good litmus test for the team to see where we are at, culminating in playing first and second in the world.

The three-time world champion All Blacks will raise the curtain at the 2023 World Cup, taking on hosts France in Paris on September 9 in a Pool A clash.

The All Blacks lost two of their three tests during this year's European tour, beating Wales, before losing to Ireland and France.