France vs. New Zealand live score: Women's Rugby World Cup bronze final updates, result, highlights

France and New Zealand face each other to vye for third place spot in the Women's Rugby World Cup this afternoon in Twickenham. 

Both teams were unfortunately unable to reach the gold finals after France lost to England and New Zealand was beaten by Canada. 

However, they now have one more chance for glory as both nations gear up to try and secure third place and a spot on the podium. 

New Zealand are the defending World Champions off the back of the 2017 and 2021 tournaments, and will be wanting to claw back some glory with a victory today. 

However, if Les Bleues manage to come away with a victory, they will oust the Black Ferns from a spot in the top three in the world for the first time ever. 

New Zealand won their last encounter with the French in 2024, coming away with a 39 - 14 victory, but the ferocity and control that France has been exhibiting recently means that they will be a tough foe to defeat.

The Sporting News is following the France vs. New Zealand match live, providing score updates and commentary.

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France vs New Zealand score 

Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham (UK)
Referee: Ella Goldsmith (Australia)

Starting XVs:

France: 15 - Boulard, 14 - Grisez, 13 - Konde, 12 - Vernier, 11 - Menager, 10 - Arbez, 9 - Bourdon Sansus, 1 - Brosseau, 2 - Gerin, 3 - Bernadou, 4 - Maka, 5 - Fall Raclot, 6 - Escudero, 7 - Champon, 8 - Feleu

New Zealand:  15 - Holmes, 14 - Sorensen-McGee, 13 - Waaka, 12 - Brunt, 11 - Woodman-Wycliffe, 10 - Demant, 9 - Pouri-Lane, 1 - Viliko, 2 - Ponsonby, 3 - Kalounivale, 4 - Roos, 5 - Bayfield, 6 -Mikaele-Tu’u, 7 - Miller, 8 - Olsen-Baker

MORE: Full schedule, bracket, results from Women's Rugby World Cup

France vs. New Zealand live updates, highlights, and commentary

12:30pm - After the national anthems, the Black Ferns get into formation to perform their traditional Haka for the last time in their Rugby World Cup 2025 campaign, as their chants echoes around the Allianz stadium. 

12:34 - Kick off. The fight for the bronze medal commences. 

5': World number three and world number four - it was always going to be a tight match. Neither team has been able to make meaningful moves into their opponent's 22 yet. 

9': Bourdon-Sansus is the name on everyone's lips for a reason! She scores France's first try effortlessly outrunning the Black Ferns defence and Arbez converts. 

13': New Zealand clap back as Demant storms through to plant their first try between the posts. Holmes easily converts to make the score equal once more.

19': France chased a loose ball to be within ten metres of the New Zealand try line, but some loose hands stops any momentum in its track with a knock on.

27': After a series of offensive attempts from France, New Zealand get their chance with a powerful scrum close to the French try line, but it doesn't result in any tangible points.

29': Powerful defence from France - they're immovable in the face of the New Zealand assault.

32': The Black Ferns tenacious efforts finally pays off, as Brunt just barrels over to touch the ball over the whitewash. Holmes converts a tricky shot. 

37': The trust that New Zealand have in each other is incredible, as a series of sensational passes leads to their third try as Holmes scores and converts, widening their lead to 21 - 7 as half time approaches. 

40': And again! The Black Ferns are on a roll as Miller storms down before offloading Bayfield to for their third try in ten minutes. Holmes' kick hits the post and bounces out.

France vs. New Zealand kick off time

The bronze final kicks off in Twickenham, UK at 12:30 p.m. local time.

Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:

France vs. New Zealand lineups, team news

France have the chance to move into the top three teams in the world if they win this encounter, so will be coming out with all guns blazing.

The starting XV is recognisable from the one that faced England last weekend in the semi finals, although there have been some changes made.

Madoussou Fall Raclot is remaining at lock position but shifted to 5, with Taina Maka moving from as well as Taina Maka and Emilie Boulard joining on the pitch.

Morgane Bourgeois, who has traditionally been France’s choice kicker, is off to begin, as Boulard replaces her at fullback.

Nassira Konde, who scored two of France’s three tries in the semifinals, is back at outside centre, alongside Gaby Vernier on the inside.

France starting XV:  

15 - Boulard, 14 - Grisez, 13 - Konde, 12 - Vernier, 11 - Menager, 10 - Arbez, 9 - Bourdon Sansus, 1 - Brosseau, 2 - Gerin, 3 - Bernadou, 4 - Maka, 5 - Fall Raclot, 6 - Escudero, 7 - Champon, 8 - Feleu

Replacements:

16 - Bigot, 17 - Deshaye, 18 - Khalfaoui, 19 - Ikahehegi, 20 - Morland, 21 - Chambon, 22 - Tuy, 23 - Arbey

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

Having won the 2021 World Cup, the Black Ferns will be wanting to defend their world ranking and reach the podium on Saturday, even if the top two places are out of reach for them.

The partnership of Portia Woodman-Wycliffe, the highest try-scorer in Women’s World Cup and young superstar Braxton Sorensen-McGee on either wing is back, as New Zealand hope to control the game more than they were able to against Canada in the semi-finals.

The starting XV is largely unchanged from the squad that faced the Maple Leafs, although both Laura Bayfield and Jorja Miller have taken up positions on pitch.

Both Jorja Miller and Braxton Sorensen-McGee were recently announced as nominees for World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year 2025, and will have a change to demonstrate their skills once more on the field.

Maiakawanakualani Roos and Chelsea Bremner are bringing out their lock pair once more, a well-oiled machine coupled with flankers Liana Mikaele-Tu’u and Kennedy Tukuafa.

New Zealand starting XV:  

15 - Holmes, 14 - Sorensen-McGee, 13 - Waaka, 12 - Brunt, 11 - Woodman-Wycliffe, 10 - Demant, 9 - Pouri-Lane, 1 - Viliko, 2 - Ponsonby, 3 - Kalounivale, 4 - Roos, 5 - Bayfield, 6 -Mikaele-Tu’u, 7 - Miller, 8 - Olsen-Baker

Replacements:

16 - Green, 17 - Tangen-Wainohu, 18 - Rule, 19 - Bremner, 20 - Sae, 21 - Joseph, 22 - Setefano, 23 - Vahaakolo

Full New Zealand squad

Forwards: Laura Bayfield, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Vici-Rose Green, Kate Henwood, Tanya Kalounivale, Atlanta Lolohea, Veisini Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Jorja Miller, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Georgia Ponsonby, Maiakawanakualani Roos, Amy Rule, Layla Sae, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Kennedy Tukuafu, Chryss Viliko

Backs: Kelly Brazier, Sylvia Brunt, Ruahei Demant, Amy du Plessis, Iritana Hohaia, Renee Holmes, Maia Joseph, Ayesha Leti-Iiga, Risi Pouri-Lane, Theresa Setefano, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Stacey Waaka, Portia Woodman-Wycliffe

Where to watch Women's Rugby World Cup

USA

Free-to-air channel: CBS, CBS Sports Network
Live stream: Fubo, Paramount+

The England vs. Canada match for the final of 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.

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Canada

Free-to-air channel: TSN 1, TSN 3
Live stream: Amazon Prime via TSN+

The England vs. Canada match for the final of 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.