(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Semi-Final: England vs France Preview
Venue: Ashton Gate, Bristol
Date: Saturday, 20 September 2025
Kick-off: 15:30 BST
Live Coverage: BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra; live text and highlights on BBC Sport
England take on France in the Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final this Saturday at Ashton Gate, Bristol, with a spot in the final at stake.
The world number one Red Roses enter as clear favourites, having won their last 16 matches against France. Last month, England dominated a World Cup warm-up clash 40-6, although their April Six Nations encounter was a nail-biter, with England narrowly defeating Les Bleues 43-42.
The semi-final winner will meet either defending champions New Zealand or Canada in the final at Twickenham Stadium on 27 September.
World Cup Form Guide
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England: Dominated Scotland 40-8 in the quarter-finals, extending their world-record winning streak to 31 matches. Pool stage victories over the USA, Samoa, and Australia helped them top Pool A. England has scored 248 points in four games while conceding just 25.
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France: Faced a tough quarter-final against Ireland, winning 18-13. Pool D wins over Italy, Brazil, and South Africa allowed France to finish top of their group. They have scored 183 points and conceded 28.
England’s strength lies in their powerful forwards, who have scored 22 of the team’s 38 tries, while wing Jess Breach leads with six tries. For France, Joanna Grisez and full-back Emilie Boulard have each scored four of their team’s total 28 tries.
Semi-Final Records
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England has won eight of nine semi-finals and claimed the World Cup in 1994 and 2014.
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France has never reached a Women’s Rugby World Cup final, losing all eight of their previous semi-finals, including three against England.
With England’s dominance and experience, they start as favourites, but France’s unpredictable style makes for a potentially thrilling encounter this Saturday.
