Crimson Roses head coach John Mitchell has heralded the return of world-class duo Ellie Kildunne and Hannah Botterman as England’s bid to succeed in a house World Cup remaining comes right down to ‘Le Crunch’.
England face Six Nations rivals France in Bristol on Saturday seeking to seal passage to a seventh successive World Cup remaining – and second on house soil.
The Crimson Roses have been boosted by the return of full-back Kildunne and prop Botterman after they recovered from concussion and a again spasm, respectively, that dominated them out of final weekend’s quarter-final victory over Scotland.
Kildunne’s pedigree has been underpinned by her being named 2024 world participant of the 12 months however Mitchell believes Botterman is simply as influential a cog in England’s quest for glory.
“Botts and Ellie are big players, aren’t they?,” Mitchell informed Sky Sports activities Information. “They’re arguably the most effective on this planet of their positions.
“They raise the staff by their power and after they’re inspirational in efficiency.
The Crimson Roses enter ‘Le Crunch’ as red-hot favourites after profitable their earlier 31 Take a look at matches, a document run that stretches again to the 2022 World Cup remaining defeat to New Zealand.
England have received their final 18 matches towards France relationship again to 2018, however of their final two conferences on house soil they simply held off mighty comebacks from Les Bleus.
They received 38-33 in 2023 and 43-42 in 2025, however on each events they practically crumbled having constructed spectacular leads.
Crimson Roses should ‘earn the appropriate’
Mitchell has challenged his Crimson Roses to dominate France for the whole lot of Saturday’s semi-final to earn the appropriate to return to the World Cup remaining.
“If you let them in, if you give France access, they grow in energy,” Mitchell added. “It is about staying targeted on what’s subsequent, no matter what the scoreboard says and never placing a ceiling on should you’re forward as a result of, finally, then you definitely turn into defensive.
“It’s always about making sure that you continue to attack the opposition and hunt them. That’s a different mindset and a different approach, but you still need to be very clear around what’s next to not get off process.
“We have got to earn the appropriate to a different week. It is so simple as that. If we stick with our processes and we proceed to construct stress on groups the way in which that we will, there is no purpose why we will not management that subsequent week. However we’ll need to earn it.”
France galvanised after tumultuous week?
France’s semi-final preparations have been anything but ideal, with flanker Axelle Berthoumieu and co-captain Manae Feleu picking up tournament-ending suspensions and Lina Queyroi ruled out by concussion.
Mitchell, however, is wary about how this adversity could rally France and pose a tougher challenge for England.
Axelle Berthoumieu will miss the remainder of the World Cup after receiving a nine-game ban for biting Eire’s Aoife Wafer
“I try and understand their psychology, because how would you respond if you had two red cards, some uncertainty around two HIAs, and the sickness I think they’ve had in the camp as well. They’ve dealt with that adversity or had to endure that adversity,” Mitchell mentioned.
“They’ve obviously got themselves into a semi-final and navigated themselves out of a difficult situation against Ireland. So, I think they will be buoyed. I think they will grow as a collective as a result of that adversity, that’s certainly the way I’d expect my girls to respond.
“I feel France will certainly reply as a result of they have a chance to progress on this event identical to us, so I feel it’ll be an ideal semi-final.”
Red Roses squad to face France
Starting XV: 15 Ellie Kildunne; 14 Abby Dow, 13 Megan Jones, 12 Tatyana Heard, 11 Jess Breach; 10 Zoe Harrison, 9 Natasha Hunt; 1 Hannah Botterman, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Maud Muir, 4 Morwenna Talling, 5 Abbie Ward, 6 Zoe Aldcroft (captain), 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Alex Matthews.
Replacements: 16 Lark Atkin-Davies, 17 Kelsey Clifford, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Rosie Galligan, 20 Maddie Feaunati, 21 Lucy Packer, 22 Holly Aitchison, 23 Helena Rowland.
Berthoumieu’s World Cup over regardless of ban discount
France flanker Berthoumieu has seen her ban for biting in Sunday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final victory over Eire lowered from 12 to 9 matches on enchantment.
Berthoumieu admitted her chew on Aoife Wafer within the 18-13 win at Sandy Park was a purple card offence when she confronted an unbiased foul play evaluate committee on Monday, however disputed the severity of the sanction.
An unbiased disciplinary committee on Tuesday discovered that due to a procedural error her suspension was too lengthy, ensuing within the three-game discount.
Berthoumieu will play no additional half within the World Cup, lacking Saturday’s semi-final showdown with England and the ultimate or bronze remaining the next weekend.
France squad to face England
Beginning XV: 15 Morgan Bourgeois; 14 Joanna Grisez, 13 Nassira Konde, 12 Gabrielle Vernier, 11 Marine Menager (captain); 10 Carla Arbez, 9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus; 1 Yllana Brosseau, 2 Agathe Gerin, 3 Rose Bernadou, 4 Hina Ikahehegi, 5 Madoussou Fall Raclot, 6 Charlotte Escudero, 7 Lea Champon, 8 Teani Feleu.
Replacements: 16 Elisa Riffonneau, 17 Annaele Deshayes, 18 Assia Khalfaoui, 19 Taina Maka, 20 Seraphine Okemba, 21 Alexandra Chambon, 22 Lina Tuy, 23 Kelly Arbez.
