England's Red Roses have stormed into the Women's Rugby World Cup final after dispatching France 35-17 in a thrilling semi-final at Ashton Gate, Bristol, on September 20, 2025. With this commanding victory, England not only booked their spot at Twickenham for the championship clash against Canada but also extended their world-record winning streak to a staggering 32 matches. The drama, the determination, and the dazzling displays of skill were on full show as the Red Roses continued their relentless march toward rugby immortality.
From the opening whistle, the stakes were sky-high. England, the tournament hosts and favorites, were seeking to reach their seventh consecutive World Cup final. Across the pitch stood a spirited French side, hungry to break their semi-final curse after falling short in all eight previous attempts. The French, however, faced an uphill battle, missing several key players due to suspension and injury—co-captain Manae Feleu, Axelle Berthoumieu, fly-half Lina Queyroi, and Joanna Grisez, who had scored the decisive try in the quarter-final against Ireland, all sat out.
The crowd barely had time to settle before fullback Ellie Kildunne, recently returned from concussion, made her mark. In just the fifth minute, Kildunne burst down the left flank, leaving defenders in her wake, and sold an audacious dummy to Kelly Arbey before dotting down near the posts. Zoe Harrison, England's fly-half, slotted the conversion, putting England up 7-0. Kildunne's early spark set the tone for what would become a statement performance, with the Red Roses showing their intent from the outset.
France, undeterred, responded with grit and determination. They dominated territory and possession for much of the first half, keeping England pinned deep in their own 22. The pressure paid off in the 24th minute when outside center Nassira Konde finished off a sweeping move for France's first try. Morgane Bourgeois, however, was unable to convert, leaving England with a slender 7-5 lead at halftime.
The tension was palpable as both sides had tries disallowed for forward passes, and France's captain Marine Menager nearly broke through for a second score, only to be denied by a last-ditch tackle from Jess Breach. England's defense held firm, buoyed by a relentless work rate from flanker Sadia Kabeya, who led the tournament in tackles and notched up 21 more in this match alone.
The second half was a different story. England emerged from the break with renewed focus and quickly asserted themselves through their trademark driving maul. In the 46th minute, hooker Amy Cokayne was propelled over the line by her pack, with Harrison again adding the extras. But France refused to fade, and just six minutes later, wing Kelly Arbey finished off a slick move out wide, with Bourgeois nailing a tough conversion to cut the deficit to 14-12.
With the match hanging in the balance, England's experience and composure began to shine through. Sustained pressure and phase play culminated in lock Abbie Ward crashing over for a crucial try just before the hour mark. Harrison's reliable boot made it 21-12, giving England some breathing space.
Then came the moment that truly electrified the Ashton Gate faithful. With 11 minutes remaining, Kildunne collected the ball just inside the French half and embarked on a blistering 40-meter solo run, weaving through defenders and sprinting clear to score her second try of the match. The crowd erupted as Kildunne, the reigning World Player of the Year, showcased why she is considered the best in the world. England head coach John Mitchell was effusive in his praise, declaring, "Kildunne is pretty special." Even as she limped through the closing stages, her impact was undeniable.
France showed resilience, with Konde grabbing her second try, but England's response was swift and emphatic. Center Megan Jones capped off the scoring with a try in the dying moments, sealing a comprehensive win. Harrison finished the day with five successful conversions, underlining her value as a steady hand in high-pressure situations.
The semi-final victory was England's 17th consecutive win over France and extended their world-record streak to 32 matches. The Red Roses have not tasted defeat since their agonizing loss to New Zealand in the 2022 World Cup final. This time, they are determined to go one better and lift the trophy for the first time since 2014, when they also defeated Canada in the final.
The road to Twickenham now leads to a mouthwatering showdown with Canada, who stunned double-defending champions New Zealand 34-19 in the other semi-final. That result ended the Black Ferns' 11-year unbeaten run at the World Cup and set up a rematch of the 2014 final. Twickenham is already sold out, with 82,000 fans set to witness what promises to be an epic conclusion to the tournament.
England's journey to the final has been defined by resilience, tactical nous, and a blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned leadership. The return of key players like Hannah Botterman and Kildunne from injury has only strengthened their resolve. The Red Roses' defense, anchored by Kabeya's tackling, and their clinical execution in attack have made them the team to beat.
France, meanwhile, will have to regroup and turn their attention to the bronze final against New Zealand. Despite missing out on another shot at the title, Les Bleues showed flashes of brilliance and will be eager to end their campaign on a high note.
As the dust settles on a pulsating semi-final weekend, all eyes now turn to Twickenham. Can England cap their record-breaking run with World Cup glory, or will Canada spoil the party and claim their first-ever title? One thing's for sure: the stage is set for a classic.
With their place in the final secured and momentum firmly on their side, England's Red Roses are just one win away from etching their names into rugby history. The countdown to Twickenham begins!
