By Oli Gent
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England vs France LIVE!
England face France for a place in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. The Red Roses have swept aside every side in their path so far, and come up against their trickiest test yet, Les Bleues at Ashton Gate in Bristol this afternoon. John Mitchell’s team made light work of Scotland 40-8 in the quarter-finals, with Kelsey Clifford notching a brace, and Morwenna Talling, Abby Dow, Amy Cockayne, and Holly Aitchison all adding further scores. Aitchison was accurate off the tee, converting five of the six tries scored.
France, meanwhile, came from behind to defeat Ireland 18-13 at Sandy Park, but they will be without Axelle Berthoumieu, who has been handed a nine-game ban for biting Aoife Wafer last time out. Charlotte Escudero and Joanna Grisez were the try-scorers against the Irish, while Morgane Bourgeois made no mistake with her kicking as Gaelle Mignot’s team set up a mouth-watering encounter with the hosts and pre-tournament favourites.
These two sides are now battling for a chance to take on Canada at Twickenham for the biggest prize in women’s rugby, after the north Americans stunned the defending champions – the Black Ferns – 34-19 in the other semi-final on Friday. Stay tuned for all the updates with our live blog below!
