England secured their place in the Women’s Rugby World Cup final for the sixth consecutive time, following an exciting and hard-fought 35-17 victory over France in the semi-finals.
The encounter, eagerly awaited by the fans, kept those present on the edge of their seats, offering a top-level sporting spectacle. This epic battle set the stage for next week’s final against Canada.
The expectations of an easy game for the ‘Red Roses’ quickly vanished, as France demonstrated their determination from the start.
The game started promisingly for England, thanks to the outstanding performance of Ellie Kildunne, who with her speed and skill left the French defense behind, scoring a try under the posts.
Amy Cokayne celebrating her try.
The tension on the field increased, and France, far from giving up, responded with a try from Joanna Grisez, closing in on the score. It was then that England showed their worth, reaffirming their position as the best team in the world. The substitutes’ entry brought fresh energy to the English team, which was crucial in the final moments. Natasha Hunt, taking advantage of a quick touch of the ball, drove the English attack, culminating in a try by Abby Ward. Kildunne, with another masterful play, ran a large part of the field to score, generating a sigh of relief among the fans. Although France responded with another try from Konde, it was already too late. Meg Jones sealed the English victory with a try in the final minutes, celebrating the pass to the final, although not without first going through moments of uncertainty.
