New Zealand women’s rugby team visit Northampton secondary school for last training session ahead of clash with England at Franklin’s Gardens

A Northampton secondary school hosted the New Zealand women’s rugby union team for a training session ahead of the international clash at Franklin’s Gardens.

The Black Ferns visited Northampton High School in Hardingstone on Tuesday (November 2) where they used the school’s facilities for a training session before their game against England on Sunday (November 7).

The five-time world champions took part in a training session on the school’s state-of-the-art astro turf, with their sights firmly set on victory ahead of Sunday’s game at Franklin’s Gardens.

A spokesman for the school said: “It was also a marvellous opportunity for some of the school’s students to witness elite-level athletes perform up close and in person, with the Year 10 students having the privilege of watching the closing drills of the intricate session.

“Despite a taxing work out, the squad was more than happy to oblige in a socially-distanced photo with pupils, and even gifted the school with a squad signed ball as a memento of their visit.”

Tickets for the international match, which kicks off at 2.45pm, are still available from the Northampton Saints website.