England managed to come away with a win that has landed them in the final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, despite a lack-lustre first 50 minutes.
It was a far from perfect 80 minutes for England - in fact, it was only the last 30 that demonstrated why they are world number one’s and should have a spot at the World Cup final.
If you just looked at the scoreboard, you might think that England dominated throughout, leading from the fourth minute, but in fact the first half was arguably France’s, with 60% possession.
Despite the Red Roses’ initial weakness, Ellie Kildunne absolutely shone throughout the 80 minutes, with two absolutely huge sprints into tries bookending the match including a 90 metre break in the fourth minute, which rightfully earned her MasterCard Player of the Match.
Les Bleues’ performance was hugely commendable for the duration of the match, and they were particularly dangerous in the first forty minutes, comfortably sitting in England’s half and continuously claiming the ball.
However, they struggled to convert this possession and momentum into points on the score board and come the last twenty minutes let in more and more errors.
It was England’s ability to break down and exploit France’s mistakes that ultimately earnt them the win at 80 minutes - coach John Mitchell was confident in their performance and their ability to get out of a pressured position, but England will not want to be put in that position against an aggressive side like Canada.
The final is thus confirmed as between the world number one and number two in a sold out Allianz Stadium in Twickenham - a suitably high stakes end for the biggest Women’s Rugby World Cup ever.
It was a far from perfect 80 minutes for England - in fact, it was only the last 30 that demonstrated why they are world number one’s and should have a spot at the World Cup final.
The Sporting News is following the England vs. France match live, providing score updates and commentary
JUMP TO: Latest live updates | Team news and starting lineups | Where to watch where you are
England vs France score
| Score | Tries (conv) | Penalties | |
| England | 35 | Kildunne 4' (Harrison), Cockayne 46' (Harrison), Ward 58' (Harrison), Kildunne 68' (Harrison), Jones '78 (Harrison) | |
| France | 17 | Konde 22', Arbey 51' (Bourgeois), Konde 73' |
Venue: Ashton Gate, Bristol (UK)
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand)
Starting XVs:
England: 15 - Kildunne, 14 - Dow, 13 - Jones, 12 - Heard, 11 - Breach, 10 - Harrison, 9 - Hunt, 1 - Botterman, 2 - Cockayne, 3 - Muir, 4 - Talling, 5 - Ward, 6 - Aldcroft (c), 7 - Kabeya, 8 - Matthews
France: 15 - Bourgeois, 14 - Arbey, 13 - Konde, 12 - Vernier, 11 - Menager, 10 - Arbez, 9 - Bourdon Sansus, 1 - Brosseau, 2 - Gerin, 3 - Bernadou, 4 - Fall Raclot, 5 - Ikahehegi, 6 - Escudero, 7 - Champon, 8 - Feleu
MORE: Full schedule, bracket, results from Women's Rugby World Cup
England vs. France live updates, highlights, and commentary
15:00 - The teams warm up in the misty drizzle of Bristol, in front of a sold-out crowd at Ashton Gate who are bringing the energy, despite the less-than-ideal weather.
15:25 - A ray of sunshine as the two nations walk out onto the pitch to a standing ovation.
15:30 - Kick off. The second semi-final of the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 is officially underway.
1': Tough start for England as they drop the ball off the bat. It's horrid, wet conditions but they're going to need all the accuracy they can get for these 80 minutes.
4': A sensational first try for such a highly anticipated semi-final, as Red Roses golden girl Ellie Kildunne sprints down half of the pitch, before effortlessly dodging France's last line of defence to score under the posts.
12': Both sides have been trying to make metres, but to no avail. England are dominating possession and sitting comfortably in France's half, but can't seem to translate that into point-scoring momentum.
17': France have moved into their first dangerous position of the game, firmly in England's 22. The English defence is too good though and their attack is unable to muscle through.
22': France will not be deterred and are back just feet from the English try line. This time, some brilliant maneuvering from the French outsmarts the English defence as Konde crosses over. However, England are still just in the lead as the conversion misses.
28': The Red Roses make a bid for another try, but it is disallowed due to a knock-on.
31': France have dominated possession for the last 15 minutes, and England are struggling to keep their advances into their half at bay. This is not the performance you would expect from the world number one's.
33': England steal the French line out, but somehow the French still translate this to a bid on the try line. However, a poor pass from a charging Menager stops any chance of another French try in its tracks.
35': France finally cross the Red Roses try line ... but no try off the back of a forward pass. A scrum less than ten metres out is dangerous, but England successfully fend off any threat there.
39': As half time closes in, England successfully defend yet another French attempt. But it's undeniable - the majority of this half has been in French possession and in the English half, even if the score doesn't reflect it.
41': It almost looked like England had started the second half as they mean to go on, but the corner try is disallowed once more for a forward pass.
46': It's scrappy on the pitch, with both sides squaring up to each other. An English line-out just inside of the French 22 means that England finals score their second try of the match, as their infamous ruck powers across the line and Cockayne touches down.
50': France have the choice for a penalty kick, but choose to attack for the chance of a full try. Their bet pays off, as Arbey dives across and Bourgeois converts a tricky kick.
55': Botterman, Cockayne and Muir are replaced by Atkin-Davies, Clifford and Bern for the Red Roses. Les Bleues substitute Brosseau, Gerin, Bernadou and Ikahehegi for Riffonneau, Deshaye, Khalfaoui and Okemba.
58': Finally, England have found some fire in their bellies! After some sensational quick passes along the line, Abbie Ward powers across the line and Harrison converts once more.
64': They were the dominant side in the first half, but France seem to have lost their edge with some sloppy handling errors.
65': England almost empty their bench as Feaunati, Galligan, Aitchison and Packer come on for Talling, Ward, Hunt and Heard.
68': Kildunne is absolutely unstoppable! Another huge sprint ends in a diving try for the fullback. Harrison is lazer sharp, converting again.
70': Fall Raclot, Arbey and Arbe are substituted with Make, Tuy and Boulard for Les Bleues.
72': For every hit that England makes, Frances hits right back! Another corner try by Konde, but the conversion falls just short.
77': Bourdin-Sansus is replaced by Chambon.
78': Ellie Kildunne is awarded with an incredible rightfully deserves MasterCard Player of the Match.
78': A moment of magic as a chip from Aitchison bounces off the post, and gives Jones the chance to touch down for another England try!
80': Full time. England have done it - they're through to a home final against Canada, with a final score of 35 - 17.
England vs. France kick off time
The semifinal match kicks off in Bristol, UK at 3:30 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA/Canada | Sat, Sep. 20 | 10:30 a.m. ET |
| USA/Canada | Sat, Sep. 20 | 07:30 a.m. PT |
| UK | Sat, Sep. 20 | 3:30 p.m. BST |
| Australia | Sat, Sep. 20 | 0:30 a.m. AEST |
England vs. France lineups, team news
England will be gearing up for their toughest match yet in the World Cup, as their old rivals France are the highest ranked team that they have faced yet.
However, their confidence will be bolstered by the knowledge that they have won the last five encounters with Les Bleues, most recently in 35 degree heat in Mont-de-Marsan in the run up to the World Cup.
The Red Roses also have the added positive heading into this match of the return of prop Hannah Botterman and fullback Ellie Kildunne, who were both injured in England’s last group match against Australia and missed out on the quarterfinal last week.
Botterman’s return also heralds the return of established prop pair Botterman and Muir, who play together domestically at the Bristol Bears, and have proved their effectiveness in this campaign time and time again, both crossing the line to score during the group stage matches.
Flyhalf is a much contested position in the England set up, with several talented contenders, but Zoe Harrison seems to be coach John Mitchell’s top choice as she reappears in the starting XV as soon as the pressure ramps up.
The second row is left largely unchanged from the last game against Scotland, with Abby Ward being the only new face at lock.
Established try scorers Sadia Kabeya, Jess Breach, Natasha Hunt and Amy Cockayne all also feature in the starting XV as England obviously gear up for a strong fight.
England starting XV:
15 - Kildunne, 14 - Dow, 13 - Jones, 12 - Heard, 11 - Breach, 10 - Harrison, 9 - Hunt, 1 - Botterman, 2 - Cockayne, 3 - Muir, 4 - Talling, 5 - Ward, 6 - Aldcroft (c), 7 - Kabeya, 8 - Matthews
Replacements:
16 - Atkin-Davies, 17 - Clifford, 18 - Bern, 19 - Galligan, 20 - Feaunati, 21 - Packer, 22 - Aitchison, 23 - Rowland
Full England squad
Forwards: Zoe Aldcroft (captain), Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Abi Burton, May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Clifford, Amy Cokayne, Maddie Feaunati, Rosie Galligan, Lilli Ives Campion, Sadia Kabeya, Alex Matthews, Maud Muir, Marlie Packer, Morwenna Talling, Abbie Ward
Backs: Holly Aitchison, Jess Breach, Abby Dow, Zoe Harrison, Tatyana Heard, Natasha Hunt) Megan Jones, Ellie Kildunne, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Lucy Packer, Helena Rowland, Emily Scarratt, Jade Shekells, Emma Sing
World number four’s France will be gearing themselves up for a tough fight ahead of meeting their old Six Nations rivals England, especially given that they nearly lost out on this semi-final place to Ireland, who led their quarterfinal for the first 60 minutes.
However, France showed some real tenacity and ability to change their tactics mid match to be able to eventually defeat Ireland last match - qualities that are sure to put them in good stead against fearsome England.
French rugby legend Pauline Bourdon-Sansus was a real game driver in Les Bleues quarterfinals, shifting her team into an offensive mindset, and reappears in the starting XV this week.
Charlotte Escudero, Joanna Grisez and Morgane Bourgeois all scored against Ireland, and are back to hopefully lead France’s offensive against the Red Roses.
In defence, Madoussou Fall Raclot is back in the second row, after a powerful performance last week. She is joined in lock pair by Hina Ikahehegi this week, rather than Manae Feleu who suffered a yellow card last week.
Teani Feleu will be representing the family on the international stage tomorrow though at number eight.
France starting XV:
15 - Bourgeois, 14 - Grisez, 13 - Konde, 12 - Vernier, 11 - Menager, 10 - Arbez, 9 - Bourdon Sansus, 1 - Brosseau, 2 - Gerin, 3 - Bernadou, 4 - Fall Raclot, 5 - Ikahehegi, 6 - Escudero, 7 - Champon, 8 - Feleu
Replacements:
16 - Riffonnneau, 17 - Deshaye, 18 - Khalfaoui, 19 - Maka, 20 - Okemba, 21 - Chambon, 22 - Tuy, 23 - Boulard
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
Where to watch Women's Rugby World Cup
USA
Free-to-air channel: CBS, CBS Sports Network
Live stream: Fubo, Paramount+
The England vs. France match from the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup can be streamed on Fubo and Paramount+. The game will be available on CBS and CBS Sports Network in the United States.
Canada
Free-to-air channel: TSN 1, TSN 3
Live stream: Amazon Prime via TSN+
The England vs. France match from the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup can be streamed on Amazon Prime via TSN+. The game will be available on TSN 1 and TSN 3 in Canada.