England and France will face each other in front of a sold out Ashton Gate Stadium to battle for the last spot in the final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.
After Canada came away with a resounding win against New Zealand last night, there is all to play for as the competition reaches fever pitch.
The Red Roses and Les Bleues are old rivals and Six Nations opponents, adding even more tension to this battle. England have won their last five encounters with France, most recently during the warm up matches of the World Cup back in the beginning of August.
Although England are the higher ranked team, they have shown cracks during their campaign thus far – and although France had a patchy quarter-final, they also showed a real ability to exploit weaknesses when it counts. In other words, this is sure to be an electric 80 minutes of top-class women’s rugby.
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 | 7 | Kildunne 4′ (Harrison) | |
| France | 5 | Konde 22′ |
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 – 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
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.
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.
UK
Free-to-air channel: BBC One
Live stream: BBC iPlayer
The match can be streamed on BBC iPlayer and will be broadcast on BBC One.