Black Ferns ready to 'unleash it' during weekend game with England

The Black Ferns are wary of a wounded England side but they're confident they can upset the World Champions at home.

The two teams meet at Twickenham this Sunday morning (NZT) and the hosts will be motivated after their 39 match winning streak was ended last weekend, when the World Champions were held to a 26-26 draw by Canada.

The Black Ferns are coming off a 64-14 win over Scotland and coach Whitney Hansen said they're ready to make a statement against the English.

"Yeah, absolutely. We've got an exciting squad, we've got a great identity in what we want to play in the game and if we can go out and unleash it in the weekend, I've got zero doubts we can do the job."

Layla Sae scores a try against Scotland.

Hansen though knows England will be determined to bounce back.

"I think any time a team has a draw or a loss, you know, it makes you look a little bit harder," Hansen said.

"They're a team that wins a lot so I think when they've been challenged like that they're probably going to be a little bit more hungry than what they've been before and that's exciting in itself, right? We're going to get to take them on at their best."

More than 55,000 tickets were sold by the end of last month and a big crowd is expected for the test at the home of England rugby.

"There's a heap of excitement in that and heading into that space. Like, they do rugby so well, their fans are phenomenal and get out and support and I think to have those crowds at women's rugby is exciting.

"The reality is that as much as you can sort of tell yourself they're cheering for you, they're not. So, there's a mental performance aspect of that where we get ready for that and you prepare as much as you can."

Hansen said the Black Ferns must try to enjoy the crowd and she is relishing the challenge of trying to tip over the World Champs on home soil.

"It's embracing it and getting excited about the privilege of having it and then getting stuck into just another week and the reality that if we focus on process and we focus on performance, then the outcome will take care of itself."

England are strong at set piece and look to physically dominate their opponents up front and have an exciting backline who like to attack.

The World Champions, who are led by former All Blacks coach John Mitchell, have bought renowned defence coach Shaun Edwards into their setup in a short term role ahead of this weekend's clash.

©INPHO/Billy Stickland / PHOTOSPORT

Englishman Edwards recently left his role as France men's defence coach, where he won three Six Nations titles, and will help the Red Roses current defence coach Sarah Hunter.

"Well, I think the reality is Sarah Hunter in her own right is good at leading that," Hansen said.

"Having him (Edwards) there for the week, well I'm not sure, I guess time will tell, but yeah, we know they're a strong attacking and defensive team and we need to be ready for anything there."

The test between the Black Ferns and England is part of the WXV Global Series and kicks off at Twickenham at 3am Sunday morning (NZT).

The Black Ferns have two wins from two WXV games so far with victories over France and Scotland.