England and France will renew their rivalry this weekend, with a place in the Women’s Rugby World Cup final on the line.
They faced one another in a pre-tournament friendly, too, where John Mitchell’s side took a more convincing 40-6 win in Mont-de-Marsan.
France will push them all the way as they look to rain on the home favourites’ parade in front of a sold-out Ashton Gate.
Les Bleues, hoping to qualify for their first World Cup final, topped their pool with bonus-point victories over South Africa, Italy, and Brazil before beating Ireland in an intense quarter-final, coming back from a 13-point deficit to progress.
Canada and New Zealand face off in the other semi-final, taking place on Friday evening.
Date, kick-off time and venue
England vs France is scheduled for a 3.30pm BST kick-off on Saturday, September 19, 2025.
The match will take place at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol.
Where to watch England vs France
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on BBC One. Coverage will begin at 2.45pm BST ahead of a 3.30pm kick-off.
Live stream: Those with a TV license can also follow the contest live online via BBC iPlayer.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Oli Gent.
England vs France team news
Fly-half Holly Aitchison impressed against Scotland in the quarter-final but drops to the bench here, with Zoe Harrison preferred.
Holly Aitchison has been dropped despite impressing in the quarter-final
Getty Images
Also dropped are forwards Helena Rowland and Kelsey Clifford, who were both on the scoresheet in the quarter-final.
Also suspended is co-captain Manae Feleu, who committed a dangerous tackle in the same game. Her younger sister, Teani, comes into the squad in her place.
Carla Arbez is in at No10 with Toulouse mainstay Lina Queyroi suffering from a concussion.
England vs France lineups
England XV: Kildunne, Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Talling, Ward, Aldcroft, Kabeya, Matthews.
Replacements: Atkin-Davies, Clifford, Bern, Galligan, Feaunati, Packer, Aitchison, Rowland.
France XV: Bourgeois, Grisez, Konde, Vernier, Menager; Arbez, Bourdon Sansus; Brosseau, Gerin, Bernadou, Fall Raclot, Ikahehegi, Escudero, Champon, Feleu
Replacements: Riffonneau, Deshaye, Khalfaoui, Maka, Okemba, Chambon, Tuy, Arbey
England vs France prediction
Recent results between England and France make for curious reading. The sides have met twice in recent months, with the Red Roses coming out on top both times, once by a one-point margin and once by 34.
Such a disparity between matches makes it tricky to predict a result, but one thing is certain – the onus is on England to win.
The Red Roses, considered clear favourites from day one, have made a mockery of this tournament thus far, reaching the semi-final stage with 248 points scored and just 25 conceded.
France will be their most challenging opposition so far, but it would be a surprise to see them prevent England from booking a ticket to Twickenham.
England to win by 20 points.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
The Red Roses have won their last 16 matches against Les Bleues, who last came out on top in this fixture in 2018.
England vs France match odds
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
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