Roses to wilt?

Another big rugby weekend with New Zealand teams right in the thick of it. First-up this morning, the Black Ferns are in Toulon to play France for just the fifth time. The world champion women should tick off another one following their romp in Chicago a week ago. They first played the French in 1996 winning 109-0. Six years later at the 2002 World Cup they won 30-0 and added 40-10 and 45-7 victories in subsequent World Cups — the last in 2010. Hard to see the hosts footing it with the rampant Ferns but it has the makings of a decent tussle. From early tomorrow morning wall-to-wall internationals with Fiji first up against Scotland at Murrayfield. Ten minutes later it is off to Twickers for the highly-anticipated All Blacks clash with Eddie Jones' England — the 41st meeting of the two proud nations with the ABs ahead 32-7 with one draw. The All Blacks need 31 points to reach 1000 against the Red Rose. All but two of the games in England have been played at the home of rugby. Their first meeting in 1905 was at London's Crystal Palace and they played the first of two tests in 1997 at Manchester's Old Trafford before travelling to Twickenham for a 26-26 draw. They last met four years ago with the ABs winning 24-21. Also tomorrow morning Wales against Australia, Ireland playing Argentina, France meeting the Boks and the Maori

All Blacks in Sao Paolo to play Brazil.

● Women's international, today

8.30am. Men's internationals, tomorrow from 3.20am including England v New Zealand 3.30am and Brazil v Maori All Blacks

9.30am.