England beat France 35-17 to lock horns with Canada in World Cup final

England powered into the Women’s Rugby World Cup final with a 35–17 win over France at Ashton Gate, combining clinical finishing with second-half dominance.

Ellie Kildunne scored twice, Amy Cokayne and Abbie Ward each added tries from forward pressure, and Megan Jones sealed the result late on. France fought hard, with Nassira Konde scoring twice and Kelly Arbey adding another, but England’s accuracy in the key moments proved decisive.

The Red Roses made the perfect start. In the 5th minute, Ellie Kildunne burst through the French defence to touch down, and the conversion was slotted by Zoe Harrison to give England a 7–0 lead.

France responded with energy, and midway through the half they struck back. In the 24th minute, Nassira Konde finished off a sweeping move to narrow the gap, though the conversion attempt drifted wide, leaving England 7–5 ahead.

Both teams tested each other’s defences, but neither could find another breakthrough before the interval. England’s edge at the set-piece and France’s creativity in open play kept the match tight, with the scoreline delicately balanced at half-time.

The intensity lifted straight after the restart. England’s pack went to work, and in the 47th minute Amy Cokayne was driven over from a rolling maul. The conversion extended the lead to 14–5. France answered quickly.

Kelly Arbey scored in the 53rd minute after sharp handling, and Morgane Bourgeois nailed the conversion to bring the score back to 14–12.

That was as close as France would come. England reasserted control when Abbie Ward forced her way over in the 58th minute, and the conversion restored a nine-point cushion.

Just over ten minutes later, Kildunne struck again, showing her pace and footwork to grab her second try in the 69th minute. With the conversion added, England were 28–12 ahead.

France refused to fold and Konde grabbed her second try in the 73rd minute, though the missed conversion kept the deficit at 28–17. England, however, had the final word. In the 79th minute, Megan Jones crossed to cap off a patient build-up, and the successful conversion sealed a 35–17 victory for the Red Roses.

Team line up:

England XV: Kildunne; Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Talling, Ward, Aldcroft (capt), Kabeya, Matthews

Reserves: Atkin-Davies, Clifford, Bern, Galligan, Feaunati, L Packer, Aitchison, Rowland

France: Bourgeois; Arbey, Konde, Vernier, M Menager (capt); Arbez, Bourdon Sansus; Brosseau, Gerin, Bernadou, Fall Raclot, Ikahehegi, Squire, L Champon, T Feleu.

Reserves: Riffonneau, Deshaye, Khalfaoui, Maka, Okemba, A Chambon, Tuy, Boulard.