England confirm Bok, NZ Tests

2008-01-23 13:51

London - Brian Ashton's England team are set to play New Zealand at Twickenham this autumn, the week after they face the Boks.

According to the BBC website, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) has agreed to host the All Blacks on Saturday, November 29 as an additional fourth autumn international.

The profit-sharing match is still subject to approval from the International Rugby Board (IRB).

But RFU chief executive Francis Baron said: "We are just waiting on IRB clearance, which we expect to receive some time this week."

Reigning Rugby World Cup champions South Africa will tackle England at Twickenham on November 22.

The match against the All Blacks comes three weekends after England host the cash-strapped Pacific Islanders, who cannot claim an appearance fee or a percentage of the gate receipts.

But Baron has defended England's decision to allow New Zealand to take home a significant portion of the approximate seven million pounds in revenue the RFU makes from home internationals.

"Any Test played outside of the IRB official tours window require a voluntary agreement between the two participating unions and all the issues of cost sharing come into it, so you have to agree a financial package," said Baron.

"We are very proud of our record here. We always provide financial assistance to the Pacific Island teams when they come here. We have helped Samoa and Tonga.

"We haven't had a request from the Pacific Islands yet but if we did get one we would listen sympathetically."

England's other opponents in November are Australia (November 15).

- Sport24