Twickenham

Tries from warp-speed back-row pair Ben Earl and Henry Pollock helped England see off Australia as their power-packed bench ultimately swung an untidy opening autumn Test.

After the Wallabies edged a 10-try classic last year, England took revenge with a performance heavy on perspiration, if a little short on cohesion, at Allianz Stadium Twickenham.

Australia trailed by only three points at the break after wing Harry Potter’s breakaway try had given them a lifeline back into the contest.

But replacement Pollock scampered in just before the hour to restore England’s cushion, before a snipe from Alex Mitchell and a rolling maul steered over the line by Luke Cowan-Dickie ensured they could see out the final stages in comfort.

England have won eight successive Tests, a run stretching back to their defeat in the opening game of this year’s Six Nations in Ireland.

“Twickenham really is the home of women’s rugby this year, with the women’s World Cup final over the road at Allianz Stadium, the Harlequins Women’s season not far away, and now the PWR final taking place at The Stoop,” Harlequins CEO Laurie Dalrymple told the club’s website, external.

“We want to ensure that this is a true celebration of rugby and a spectacle, fitting of the occasion and are thrilled to be hosting this event.”

Next season’s final is due to take place on Sunday, 28 June.

“2025 was a superb event, and setting a new record for attendance at a PWR final was a big moment for the league and for women’s sport,” Genevieve Shore, the executive chair of PWR, said.

“Now we’re looking to build on that, and capitalise on the excitement that will undoubtedly build throughout the women’s World Cup later this year, by selling out The Stoop and showing how far women’s rugby has come.”