England hunt France as Women's World Cup semi-final looms

England head coach John Mitchell said his side are ready to hunt down France in the Women's World Cup semi-final at Ashton Gate on Saturday, insisting the Red Roses will embrace the challenge after a biting controversy engulfed Les Bleus.

France have reached this stage amid disruption, with back-row Axelle Berthoumieu suspended for nine matches after a biting incident involving Ireland’s Aoife Wafer in the quarter-finals, and second row and co-captain Manae Feleu missing the semi-final after her ban for dangerous tackling was upheld on appeal. Mitchell framed the moment as a galvanising test for the French side, saying that adversity can drive teams forward, especially at this stage of a global tournament where the pressure is immense and the spotlight is squarely on the two nations contesting a place in the final.

Mitchell named his strongest possible side for the last four, with England set to field a lineup that reflects both a desire to return to full strength and the need to convert momentum from previous rounds into a decisive performance. The return of first-choice stars Ellie Kildunne and Hannah Botterman after misses in the quarter-final win over Scotland provides England with a contrasting blend of pace, power and experience as they bid to extend a world-record unbeaten run.

Starting for England: Ellie Kildunne; Abby Dow, Megan Jones, Tatyana Heard, Jess Breach; Zoe Harrison, Natasha Hunt; Hannah Botterman, Amy Cokayne, Maud Muir, Morwenna Talling, Abbie Ward, Zoe Aldcroft (captain), Sadia Kabeya, Alex Matthews. Replacements: Lark Atkin-Davies, Kelsey Clifford, Sarah Bern, Rosie Galligan, Maddie Feaunati, Lucy Packer, Holly Aitchison, Helena Rowland.

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. As England chase a home soil title, Mitchell’s squad arrives at Ashton Gate with the aim of maintaining momentum and continuing a mode of play that has yielded results in this World Cup so far.

England have come through a demanding group slate to reach the semi-finals, beating the United States, Samoa, Australia and Scotland on their way to the last four and maintaining a level of performance that has prompted confidence among backers and staff alike. The challenge presented by France, still smarting from the disciplinary actions that have affected their squad, is widely regarded as the sternest hurdle in the tournament thus far. France will be without the two players whose bans were cited as pivotal talking points in the buildup, but the squad remains formidable and capable of raising their intensity when it matters most.

France, for their part, will rely on the resilience and skill that brought them this far, and their staff will be hoping the disruption does not derail the cohesion that has made them hard to beat in recent seasons. The semi-final at Ashton Gate represents a rare opportunity for France to knock out a heavily favored host nation en route to a potential title bid, and Mitchell’s remarks underscore a belief that England must exceed even their current level to secure a place in the final.

The other semi-final features New Zealand against Canada, with the Black Ferns aiming to become the first side since their 2022 triumph to deny England at the final hurdle. New Zealand are the last team to have beaten England in a World Cup final, and their form heading into a potential rematch would be a key narrative if England advance. Canada stand in their way in what promises to be a tightly contested clash with implications far beyond the immediate match-up.

As the teams prepare to take the field in Bristol, the focus lies on execution and consistency. Mitchell’s strategy relies on a well-drilled, interconnected attack that can exploit small margins while also defending staunchly in the tight exchanges that are likely to determine the outcome. The semi-final will test England’s depth and resilience, two qualities that have carried the team through a demanding tournament so far, and a successful performance could set up a first-ever home World Cup final appearance for the Red Roses.

Touchline analysis and press conferences in the lead-up to the match have emphasized the mental and physical demands of a semi-final, as both teams know that the scale of the moment will intensify as the game unfolds. The players understand that there is little room for error against a France side that can deliver high-intensity rugby in bursts and can shift momentum with a moment of ingenuity or a decisive defensive stand. The stakes are high, but so too is the opportunity for England to secure a historic result and lift the trophy on home soil if their form continues to hold through the weekend.

The match is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. local time on Saturday at Ashton Gate, with the atmosphere expected to be electric as the host nation seeks a path to the final that would enthrall the home crowd and potentially redefine the landscape of women’s rugby in England for years to come.