Host nation marches into the Final of #RWC2025
MATCH REPORT: England is heading to the Women’s World Cup Final after beating France 35-17 at Ashton Gate in Bristol on Saturday.
The Red Roses made going tough for themselves, especially in the first half with poor handling and defence, but managed to rectify things in the next 40 to clinch the win.
It was a nervy start from both sides on the wet field after a downpour during the night.
England’s Ellie Kildunne had the perfect return to action, scoring the first try for England in the fourth minute, running out of her own 22 after a pass from Hannah Botterman.
France was looking dangerous with their lethal runners. However, England’s defence was standing strong in the first quarter.
The Les Bleues had most of the possession in that first 20 minutes, but England’s defence was strong, especially in midfield, where Sadia Kabeya and Zoe Aldcroft made their presence felt.
After French flyhalf Carla Arbez dribbled through a neat 50:22, they had a line-out in England’s 22 after kicking it from inside their own half.
From a scrum on the five metre, England won the penalty.
But France continued to hammer away on attack, and finally they got the five-pointer as Nassira Konde waltzed over.
Morgane Bourgeois couldn’t convert, but France moved to within two points, trailing by 5-7.
In the next sequence of play, England had won two penalties in quick succession and managed to advance up to the French 22.
But the Red Roses lost the ball, and a try was disallowed.
From a lineout, they got their maul going, but again knocked the ball. The French defence was monumental.
There were loads of errors from England. They got into good positions, but the ball wasn’t sticking, and their basics were letting them down.
The conditions played a significant role in all these first-half errors.
A forward pass meant Les Bleues captain Marine Menager’s celebrations were cut short after France slung one out wide to dot down in the corner. Two short passes and that was a France try. Instead, the long pass went forward.
The breakdown was French warfare as the two teams swapped turnovers.
In the first half, England was not delivering on the hype about them at the World Cup this year. They were poor in execution, especially in the red zone.
If France could finish, they would be out of sight.
England John Mitchell must have given his side a tongue-lashing at halftime because they came out with fervour in the second half.
They managed to sneak over the whitewash after a strong carry and offload by Maud Muir, but the pass was forward.
France again managed to win it back and went quickly from the penalty, getting huge territorial gain.
An England maul, started in the French 22, resulted in Amy Cokayne scoring their second try.
Les Bleues’ answer was to ping a penalty into the corner. It wasn’t a great kick, but the maul could do damage.
And it worked. They conceded a try, but struck back as Kelly Arbey got over in the corner, beating Kildunne’s defensive efforts.
It was a two-point game again – England 14; France 12.
The penalties were stacking up against the English (six after 50 minutes) as the rain came down again.
With new front rows on the pitch, England won a scrum penalty, and it did as Abbey Dow showed power to get over for their third try.
Leading 21-12 after an hour, England started to assert themselves heading into the last quarter.
And then it was finally the moment all the Red Roses fans were waiting for – the Ellie Kildunne show. And what a performance it was, running all of 40 metres for a wonderful try, converted by Harrison.
With 10 minutes left, England was on course for an appointment with Canada in the Final.
France launched a last-ditch effort, playing coast to coast, and centre Konde grabbed her second.
But England got right back into the Les Bleues’ 22 from the kick-off.
A lineout to England on the French five metre was their chance to put the final nail in the coffin, but Dow stabs it over the deadball line.
Holly Aitchison’s grubber kick came off the post protector, and Megan Jones picked it up to score.
The final whistle went, and England was in the Final after their victorious 35-17 win.
Player of the Match: Ellie Kildunne for her two tries, good defence, and strong runs. She is a next-level player.
Scorers:
For England:
Tries: Kildunne 2, Cokayne, Dow, Jones
Cons: Harrison 5
For France:
Tries: Konde 2, Arbey
Cons: Bourgeois
Teams:
England: 15 Ellie Kildunne, 14 Abby Dow, 13 Megan Jones, 12 Tatyana Heard, 11 Jess Breach, 10 Zoe Harrison, 9 Natasha Hunt, 8 Alex Matthews, 7 Sadia Kabeya, 6 Zoe Aldcroft (captain), 5 Rosie Galligan, 4 Morwenna Talling, 3 Maud Muir, 2 Amy Cokayne, 1 Hannah Botterman.
Replacements: 16 Lark Atkin-Davies, 17 Kelsey Clifford, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Rosie Galligan, 20 Maddie Feaunati, 21 Lucy Packer, 22 Holly Aitchison, 23 Helena Rowland
France: 15 Morgane Bourgeois, 14 Joanna Grisez, 13 Nassira Konde, 12 Gaby Vernier, 11 Marine Menager (captain), 10 Carla Arbez, 9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus, 8 Teani Feleu, 7 Lea Champon, 6 Charlotte Escudero, 5 Hina Ikahehegi, 4 Madoussou Fall Raclot, 3 Rose Bernadou, 2 Agathe Gerin, 1 Yllana Brosseau
Replacements: 16 Elisa Riffonneau, 17 Annaëlle Deshaye, 18 Assia Khalfaoui, 19 Taina Maka, 20 Seraphine Okemba, 21 Alexandra Chambon, 22 Lina Tuy, 23 Kelly Arbey.
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Clara Munarini (FIR) & Kat Roche (USAR)
TMO: Rachel Horton (RA)
