Sarah Hunter, who led England to a Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam earlier this year, will captain a squad which includes two players returning from long-term absences and no less than 15 Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 winners for the International Women's Rugby Series in New Zealand.

Emily Braund and Abbie Scott are the two returnees having been sidelined since last year’s Women’s Six Nations.

England will kick-off their campaign against Australia in Wellington (9 June), before taking on Canada in Christchurch (13 June) and New Zealand’s Black Ferns in Rotorua four days later.

The final match in Rotorua will be a curtain-raiser for the British and Irish Lions match against the Maori All Blacks. All three games will be streamed live on www.worldrugby.org.

"With the World Cup just around the corner, this tour provides an excellent opportunity for us to test ourselves in an unfamiliar environment, against some of the leading teams in the world."

England coach Simon Middleton

IDEAL PREPARATION

England coach Simon Middleton says it is a great opportunity for his squad to test themselves against the best sides in the world ahead of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 in Ireland in August.

“With the World Cup just around the corner, this tour provides an excellent opportunity for us to test ourselves in an unfamiliar environment, against some of the leading teams in the world,” he said.

“The tight turnaround of games replicates the World Cup schedule, and we expect to encounter a great atmosphere in New Zealand, which will provide players with the best possible preparation for Ireland in August.

“The squad have been training together for the last six weeks and, while it will be important to get the travel out of their legs on arrival in time for the first game, I am looking forward to seeing players translate their hard work in training into first-class performances on the pitch.”

Claire Allan, Poppy Cleall, Laura Keates, Fiona Pocock and Amy Wilson-Hardy have been ruled out of selection as a result of injury.

England squad

Forwards: Sarah Bern, Emily Braund, Rochelle Clark, Amy Cokayne, Vickii Cornborough, Vicky Fleetwood, Sarah Hunter (captain), Heather Kerr, Justine Lucas, Alex Matthews, Harriet Millar-Mills, Izzy Noel-Smith, Marlie Packer, Abbie Scott, Tamara Taylor

Backs: Rachael Burford, Natasha Hunt, Megan Jones, La Toya Mason, Sarah McKenna, Katy Mclean, Amber Reed, Leanne Riley, Emily Scarratt, Emily Scott, Lydia Thompson, Danielle Waterman, Kay Wilson