England 26 New Zealand 19

Just when it looked like the Red Roses ’ lustre was beginning to fade, up stepped Zoe Harrison.

In one of the most dramatic finishes to an England match in recent memory, the fly-half gobbled up Amy Du Plessis’s pass to glide over the whitewash and secure a pulsating win over New Zealand.

Ever the epitome of calmness, Harrison was undeterred by the fact she had just missed what would have been a match-winning penalty from 42 metres out with the score locked at 19-19.

But after their arm-wrestle with Canada last weekend in Exeter, which finished 26-26 , there was simply no way the Red Roses were going to settle for a draw for a second week running.

A year to the day since they were crowned world champions in their own back yard, England’s status as the most dominant side in the women’s game was all but confirmed by this never-say-die victory over the Black Ferns.

Ellie Kildunne breaks away from Amy du Plessis to put England back in front in the second half

Credit : David…