France and Ireland will fight it out at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol on Sunday in an effort to clinch a semi-final spot for the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
France finished top of Pool D, after beating South Africa, Italy and Brazil with a combined points difference of a huge 150.
Ireland were runners up in Pool C, losing to eventual winners and reigning world champions New Zealand.
France and Ireland last faced each other in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations, where France came away with a 27 - 15 win.
France are ranked one place higher than Ireland in the world rankings, and Ireland have been unable to come away with a win in the last five games against Les Bleues.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides as the match draws nearer.
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Ireland vs. France starting XV, team news.
Despite not qualifying for the 2021 World Cup in New Zealand, the Ireland team have established themselves as a team to watch this tournament.
They finished second in their Pool C, beating both Japan and Spain convincingly before being beaten by New Zealand 40 - 0.
Dannah O’Brien, the Shamrock’s golden girl with her magic boot, is back at fly-half after a nearly impeccable conversion performance thus far in the competition.
Many of the Irish starting XV have already scored at least one try this tournament, including Eve Higgins, Amee Leigh Costigan, Beibhinn Parsons and Fiona Tuite, demonstrating that the Irish will be coming out in full offensive force this match.
In defence, Brittany Hogan and Neve Jones are impassable pillars to the Irish strategy, as well as prop pair Niamh O’Dowd and Linda Djougang.
Ireland starting XV:
15 - Flood, 14 - Parsons, 13 - Dalton, 12 - Higgins, 11 - Costigan, 10 - O’Brien, 9 - Reilly 1 - O’Dowd, 2 - Jones, 3 - Djougang, 4 - Campbell, 5 - Monaghan, 6 - Tuite, 7 - Wafer, 8 - Hogan
Full Ireland squad
Forwards: Claire Boles, Beth Buttimer, Ruth Campbell, Eimear Corri-Fallon, Linda Djougang, Brittany Hogan, Neve Jones, Ivana Kiripati, Siobhan McCarthy, Sadhbh McGrath, Edel McMahon, Cliodhna Moloney MacDonald, Sam Monaghan, Grace Moore, Niamh O’Dowd, Ellena Perry, Fiona Tuite, Aiofe Wafer
Backs: Enya Breen, Amee Leigh Costigan, Aoife Dalton, Meabh Deely, Stacey Flood, Nicole Fowley, Eve Higgins, Emily Lane, Anna McGann, Nancy McGillivray, Dannah O’Brien, Beibhinn Parsons, Aoibheann Reilly, Molly Scuffil-McCabe
Injured: none
Suspended: none
France reached the bronze finals last World Cup back in 2021 and will be looking to match - and hopefully one up - that trajectory this year.
Captain Marine Menager is back at outside centre, alongside Gaby Vernier at outside centre.
Lina Queyroi, who is Les Bleues top choice to take conversions with her impeccable aim, is also starting.
After having to miss the first group match due to a World Rugby infringement, France’s most famous player Pauline Bourdon Sansus is well and truly back on the field, and sure to make just as much of an impact as she has in the last two group games.
In defence, Yllana Brosseau and Agathe Gerin are making up the front row alongside Rose Bernadou, who is renowned for her powerful and regular tackles.
France starting XV:
15 - Bourgeois, 14 - Grisez, 13 - Menager, 12 - Vernier, 11 - Arbey, 10 - Queyroi, 9 - Bourdon Sansus, 1 - Brosseau, 2 - Gerin, 3 - Bernadou, 4 - Feleu, 5 - Fall Raclot, 6 - Berthoumieu, 7 - Champon, 8 - Escudero
Full France squad
Forwards: Makarita Baleinadogo, Rose Bernadou, Axelle Berthoumieu, Manon Bigot, Yllana Brosseau, Lea Champon, Khoudedia Cissokho, Annaelle Deshaye, Charlotte Escudero, Madoussou Fall Raclot, Teani Feleu, Manae Feleu, Agathe Gerin, Hina Ikahehegi, Assia Khalfaoui, Taina Maka, Marie Morland, Seraphine Okemba, Elisa Riffoneau
Backs: Kelly Arbey, Carla Arbez, Emilie Boulard, Pauline Bourdon Sansus, Morgane Bourgeois, Alexandra Chambon, Joanna Grisez, Nassira Konde, Marine Menager, Carla Neisen, Lina Queyroi, Lina Tuy, Gaby Vernier
Injured: none
Suspended: none
Ireland vs France score predictions
Ireland and France are incredibly well matched, meaning it should be an electric 80 minutes - but France’s history against the Irish seems to demonstrate the upper hand.
Score Prediction: Ireland 19 - 27 France
How to watch Ireland vs France: Live stream, TV channel
All of the Women’s World Cup matches will be broadcast live on the BBC and on England Rugby’s YouTube. Ireland versus France will take place Sunday, September 14, at 13:00 GMT.
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