By Alex Bywater,Editor

Copyright dailymail

England head coach John Mitchell said his players are ready to ‘hunt’ down a French side he expects to be galvanised by the biting storm that has engulfed them.

The two teams meet in a crunch Women’s World Cup semi-final at Ashton Gate on Saturday with the Red Roses now just two wins away from global glory on home soil.

On a world record run of 31 unbeaten matches, England are firm favourites to lift the trophy with their next opponents a team mired in controversy.

France have lost back-row Axelle Berthoumieu to a nine-match ban after she was found to have bitten Ireland’s Aoife Wafer in their quarter-final clash last Sunday.

Second row and co-captain Manae Feleu will also be absent for Les Bleus in Bristol after having her appeal against a ban for dangerous tackling rejected.

‘France have faced challenges and that will drive them,’ said Mitchell after naming his strongest possible side for the last-four.

‘We expect it. We don’t need to be perfect – just effective, focused and ready for the fight. We’re excited and ready to hunt them.’

England have put USA, Samoa, Australia and Scotland to the sword to reach the semi-finals and have yet to be tested fully. France will be their toughest challenge yet.

But the return of first-choice stars Ellie Kildunne and Hannah Botterman after they missed the last-eight win over Scotland means England will be firing on all cylinders.

Full-back Kildunne and prop Botterman have recovered from concussion and a back injury respectively.

They are two of four changes made by Mitchell from the team for Scotland.

Lock Abbie Ward and No 10 Zoe Harrison are the others to come back into the starting line-up.

Mitchell said: ‘Ashton Gate set the stage for a strong performance in tough conditions last weekend and the girls are eager to get back out there for the semi-final.

‘We’ve earned this stage and now we’ve got another chance to earn the right.

‘Our game is working and is the right way. By working together we’ll keep getting better.’

New Zealand – the last team to beat England in the final of the 2022 World Cup – face Canada on Friday night in the other semi-final.

Meanwhile, Harlequins have confirmed their new coaching structure for the 2025/26 season after the departure of boss Danny Wilson who has joined Wales as an assistant.

Jason Gilmore will undertake the role of senior coach in place of Wilson and remain in charge of defence. Toby Booth, whose last role was head coach of Welsh side Ospreys, joins as a forwards consultant.

High-profile former players Nick Evans and Adam Jones retain their roles working on attack and the scrum.

Harlequins chief executive Laurie Dalrymple said: ‘Jason has made a positive impact since his arrival and will assume this leadership role within what is an already established and experienced coaching group.

‘We’re equally pleased to welcome back Toby, who has a strong understanding of our club and playing identity. As the season progresses, we will continue to review our coaching structure for the long term.’