Ellie Kildunne produced two stunning finishes as England survived a scare to set up a Women’s Rugby World Cup final against Canada by overcoming France 35-17 at Ashton Gate.
World player of the year Kildunne celebrated her return to the side after missing the quarter-finals through concussion by running in the opening try before conjuring the 70th-minute score that confirmed the Red Roses’ place in the main event at Allianz Stadium next Saturday.
A 7-5 interval lead for England failed to tell the story of a first half dominated by France, who should have finished two more opportunities and will feel aggrieved that Kildunne’s initial dot down was not examined for a possible knock-on by Mo Hunt.
It was a magnificent against-the-odds performance from Les Bleues, who had lost almost a third of their first choice starting XV to injury and suspension, yet threatened a mighty upset to rival Canada’s defeat of New Zealand the night before. But they came up against a physical England defence that soaked up vast amounts of pressure and were as responsible for a 32nd successive Test victory as the individual fireworks from player of the match Kildunne.
Relive the World Cup semi-final with our live blog below:
England vs France live
- England battle past France 35-17 in Women's World Cup semi-finals
- Red Roses have now won their last 32 games and will face Canada in the World Cup final next weekend
- REPORT: England emerge from France battle as Ellie Kildunne keeps World Cup dream alive
- 79'- TRY! Jones goes over for deserved try to put the icing on the cake (ENG 35-17 FRA)
- 69' - TRY! Kildunne scores another superb solo try (ENG 28-12 FRA)
- 5' - TRY! Kildunne shows her pace to score a stunning try (ENG 7-0 FRA)
Hannah Botterman: 'I wanted to put a marker down'
18:32 , Luke BakerEngland prop Hannah Botterman was also immense today and has discussed England’s performance as well as the prospect of playing Canada in next weekend’s final.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Botterman said: “She [Ellie Kildunne] played well, didn't she? A few girls could have taken it [player of the match], but she does score wonder tries, doesn't she but everyone was deserving.
"I have really enjoyed playing these big games. We were excited and we wanted to get this job done, and we have one more massive job to do next weekend. I wanted to put a marker down, put my best rugby out there and I did that in certain areas but we have a massive week coming up."
On Canada in the final: "No surprise, they have been playing very good rugby, a different style, but we are excited to play them.
"We will fire into this week and hopefully go one further. No celebrations (tonight) - we have not won anything.”
Meg Jones: 'We fronted up and I'm super proud'
18:14 , Luke BakerMeg Jones was everywhere today and she’s given her thoughts on the win
Jones told BBC Sport: “I feel like I am on a massive comedown already, so much elation and I am super proud of the girls. We fronted up in defence, there is a lot of passion in our defence, we are relentless, and we have earned the right for another week, and we go again.
"In attack we can brush up on a few things, trust the process, but we are super confident going in to next week."
Kildunne: 'I've stolen that player of the match award'
18:01 , Luke BakerEllie Kildunne was named player of the match and has reflected on England reaching the final.
Kildunne told BBC Sport: "It's insane. I have stolen that (player-of-the-match award) from the rest of the team, all the forwards, the defence they put in I barely had to make a tackle, so I don't know why I have got it!
"The rest of the team do the work, it was insane. I am buzzing, it is all we have been dreaming of, we will keep our heads down, we know what is coming and you're all going to be excited to watch. I don't know what to say any more!"
Meg Jones shows her class
17:52 , Luke BakerHardly a flawless performance from England but a few individual displays did light up Bristol.
Meg Jones was one of those as the centre tore around the pitch like a back row, winning turnover after turnover at the breakdown.
And she got herself a well-deserved try at the death as well
England emerge from France battle as Ellie Kildunne keeps World Cup dream alive
17:42 , Luke BakerAnd so England, just about, march on, the Red Roses winning machine and the 82,000 that will accompany them rolling into Twickenham next week.
How hard they had to work, though, to book their ticket to their own party, how deep they had to go to overcome a French wave that threatened to sweep away their World Cup dreams.
Forget the final scoreline, an 18-point margin not reflecting how close a contest this had felt. If the first semi-final between Canada and New Zealand had produced a performance to remember, this was a final-four clash of old school charm, niggly, nervy, and contested with hellacious physicality in spaces open and tight.
Crucially, though, the Red Roses go on – the thought of a dispiriting final week with the hosts’ competition over dismissed in two flashes of Ellie Kildunne’s bright white boots. This was not a performance to leave Canada quaking yet England’s World Cup chances remain very much alive.
Read Harry Latham-Coyle’s full report from Ashton Gate:
England emerge from France battle as Ellie Kildunne keeps World Cup dream alive
WATCH: England battle past France
17:36 , Luke BakerHere are some of the highlights from that hard-fought 35-17 victory:
"Oh that's absolutely audacious!" 😲🔥 Unreal Ellie Kildunne 🌹#RWC2025 pic.twitter.com/K8wnITaxzR
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 20, 2025
England's forwards drove 20 metres here to score 🤯💪#RWC2025 pic.twitter.com/SvpmMQd11b
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 20, 2025
💪 Pure. Strength. 💪#RWC2025 pic.twitter.com/ufRvfeAA7I
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 20, 2025
"She had no right, NO right" ⚡
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 20, 2025
Take a bow Ellie Kildunne 👏#RWC2025 pic.twitter.com/YLqbx4Zo9M
"Meg Jones deserved that" 👏🫡#RWC2025 pic.twitter.com/DYI74sLo2X
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 20, 2025
Ellie Kildunne gets player of the match
17:29 , Luke BakerTwo spectacular solo tries and Ellie Kildunne deservedly named player of the match for her performance. She made 273 metres on the ground.
Hannah Botterman joking that Kildunne stole it from her but it’s hard to argue (although Botterman was sublime)
FULL-TIME! England 35-17 France
17:21 , Luke BakerHarrison boots into the stands and England win! That wasn’t always convincing from the heavy favourites but they’ve battled through and beaten their biggest rivals.
Defensively, the Red Roses were superb and at the breakdown, they were great. Not brilliant in attack where they wasted chance after chance, France were right int he game but England managed to pull away late on.
Canada await in the World Cup final and dare I say that England will need to improve to win that one.
TRY! England 35-17 France (Meg Jones, 79 mins)
17:18 , Luke BakerThe icing on the cake! Meg Jones gets a try that her work-rate and overall performance today more than deserve.
Aitchison grubber kicks through, it bounces off the post and into the hands of the chasing Jones, who can dive over the line. Job done for the Red Roses
England 28-17 France, 78 mins
17:17 , Luke BakerEngland just seeing this game out now and they know that Canada await in the World Cup final.
England 28-17 France, 76 mins
17:15 , Luke BakerMeg Jones with another turnover for England - what a game she’s had! Penalty kicked to the corner.
The Red Roses run it left and Dow’s kick through goes dead but back for another penalty. Another lineout five metres out but Galligan drops it. France survive
TRY! England 28-17 France (Nassira Konde, 74 mins)
17:12 , Luke BakerWell, well, well. Late life for France? They burst into the 22 and plug away before a bounce pass out to the left ends in the hands of Nassira Konde who can dive over the line.
Conversion missed and it’s still a two-score gap with six minutes left. Unlikely but...
England 28-12 France, 72 mins
17:09 , Luke BakerBut now a worry for England. Kildunne is down holding her leg. She’s up again but limping badly.
England have made their final replacement in the backs so Kildunne sort of forced to continue. Hopefully she can run it off and this isn’t anything serious.
TRY! England 28-12 France (Ellie Kildunne, 69 mins)
17:07 , Luke BakerOH MY WORD! Out of nothing and England have surely won it now?
Harrison tries a kick through, it bounces off a French foot and pops up to Ellie Kildunne on halfway. Sure, there’s a bit of green space in front of her but i’s hardly a try-scoring chance.
Kildunne turns on the gas, surges down the left, then cuts infield, leaving one two defenders flat-footed as she hares across the field and dives over the line! Just speed and vision from the World Rugby Player of the Year. A spark from nothing.
England 21-12 France, 67 mins
17:03 , Luke BakerIt’s been a physical encounter with neither side giving an inch.
England turn to their bench as Maddie Feaunati and Rosie Galligan come on. What can they offer?
England 21-12 France, 64 mins
17:01 , Luke BakerEngland come again and try to maul from the 22. Defended better by France this time. And Les Bleues win a breakdown penalty.
They tap and go before pumping a long kick into the England backfield. No one at home and Breach has to retreat with opponents hot on her tail but the Red Roses do well to recycle and clear
England 21-12 France, 62 mins
16:58 , Luke BakerAgain, England are sloppy from the kick-off, letting the ball bounce. But defensively, they’re solid, stopping France in their tracks.
They win a turnover and a searching Jones kick finds touch in the 22.
TRY! England 21-12 France (Abbie Ward, 59 mins)
16:56 , Luke BakerDow clatters through Bourgeois on the 22 - great run from the winger. The crowd rise now as England move to five metres away.
Abbie Ward drives for the line and SHE’S THERE! Just guts to plough across the whitewash. That’s much, much better from England. Quick ball at the breakdown and the Red Roses capitalise.
Zoe Harrison adds the extras and England lead by nine points once more.
England 14-12 France, 55 mins
16:53 , Luke BakerThis will be a fascinating final 25 minutes now. Which side can sharpen up enough to win this one?
TRY! England 14-12 France (Kelly Arbey, 53 mins)
16:49 , Luke BakerFrance burrow. One metre out. They go wide to the left! And there’s space out there, quick hands and Kelly Arbey finishes neatly towards the left touchline.
Tough kick for Morgane Bourgeois but France could do with this... STUNNING! Arcs it between the posts and keeps the deficit at two points. Within a penalty
England 14-5 France, 51 mins
16:47 , Luke BakerGood carry from Gerin to move France within five metres. Another penalty. Five metres out, Les Bleues will tap and go.
Bit messy but Menager carries them to within five metres again. Muir and Talling with big tackles for England. Holding firm
England 14-5 France, 49 mins
16:45 , Luke BakerEngland spill the kick-off again to immediately give France an attacking platform. The Red Roses defence shows no sign of buckling but they do concede a penalty and Les Bleues kick to the corner. Ten metres out.
Lineout secured, the French try to form a maul of their own but it’s stopped, so they go to the backs...
TRY! England 14-5 France (Amy Cokayne, 47 mins)
16:43 , Luke BakerOLD FAITHFUL! The England driving maul churns and grinds forward, they go 20 metres forward, the French pack is splintered and Amy Cokayne falls over the line.
So many times, the maul has been an unstoppable weapon and it may just have bailed them out here. Harrison adds the conversion and England have breathing space
England 7-5 France, 46 mins
16:41 , Luke BakerFrance jackal the ball back on their own 22 and they quickly run from the penalty, with Arbey reaching halfway. Good exit, that. They then show off their hands as Vernier offloads out the back to Bourgeois.
Les Bleues then lose a lineout, overthrown and Cokayne gahers. Quickly spread to the left and Kildunne pokes a kick down the line that is gathered by Bourgeois but she’s pushed into touch. Can the English maul work its magic?
NO TRY! England 7-5 France, 43 mins
16:37 , Luke BakerQuick hands again from England, Kildunne pops to Dow on the right flank and it’s a try! But no...
Ruled out for a forward pass - Kildunne’s popped pass deemed forward. Tight but that did look forward to me
England 7-5 France, 42 mins
16:36 , Luke BakerNice hands from England. Kildunne to Dow and into French territory before Botterman crashes into the 22. Muir and then Botterman again and the Red Roses are five metres out.
KICK-OFF! England 7-5 France
16:35 , Luke BakerBack underway in Bristol. This is a huge 40 minutes upcoming
WATCH: Kildunne gives England early lead
16:29 , Luke BakerHere was that superb early try from Ellie Kildunne
Rapid! 🤯
— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) September 20, 2025
Ellie Kildunne scores our 100th try of 2025! 👏#ENGvFRA | #RedRoses | #RWC2025pic.twitter.com/G7tyhwpe5s
England's red zone defence on point - and it's a good job
16:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle at Ashton GateThere are a fair few perplexed looks around Ashton Gate, England fans not used to seeing their side on the defensive for so long. The Red Roses’ senior leadership group always tend to huddle before joining their teammates in the dressing room and Zoe Aldcroft, Meg Jones, Natasha Hunt, Zoe Harrison and Abbie Ward got together for an extended chat before disappearing down the tunnel - it hasn’t clicked at all for the hosts in attack, with their errors giving France easy territory.
Their red-zone defence has been very, very good, mind. France have made eight 22 entries so far but converted just one of them into points - England’s 1.4 points per entry on the offensive is not great but their work by their own try line is keeping them in it. I think it is three breakdown penalties earned by Hannah Botterman and two by Meg Jones - vital interventions.
HALF-TIME! England 7-5 France
16:21 , Luke BakerEngland’s scrum goes backwards, that’s a rarity, so Matthews is forced to pick up at the back. One phase, then the ball kicked to touch for half-time.
The Red Roses need the break - they’ve been profligate in attack and while they’ve been brilliantly resilient in defence, France have squandered chances themselves.
England lead by two points after Ellie Kildunne’s early try and Nassira Konde crossing the whitewash in response but the hosts will need a much-improved second-half performance to avoid a shock defeat here.
England 7-5 France, 39 mins
16:18 , Luke BakerNow France turn the ball over on halfway. Champon wins it - superb back row play.
Lineout just inside the England 22 and the Red Roses spoil the lineout, flicking the ball back their way. Goes down as a French knock-on and an England scrum
England 7-5 France, 38 mins
16:17 , Luke BakerAgain, France are in England’s 22. They simply have to score here - they can’t waste another chance.
But they do! Botterman with the huge turnover! She’s having a cracking game. Gets over the ball and earns the penalty that England can kick up towards halfway.
NO TRY! England 7-5 France, 36 mins
16:14 , Luke BakerFrance again with a platform in England’s 22. Escudero bursts through one tackle, then Feleu with a great carry gets them within a few metres of the line.
And they’ve scored! Arbez opts not to go through the hands, lofts a long pass to Menager on the right wing and she trots in for the try. But it’s ruled out immediately! That pass was clearly forward and it’s another opportunity squandered for the underdogs.
CLOSE! England 7-5 France, 34 mins
16:11 , Luke BakerHow have France not scored there? They flood forward after a brilliant box-kick finds Menager on the right wing and she bursts into the 22.
It’s a two on one, give the inside ball to Champon and it’s a try. But the France captain delays the pass and it’s errant, bouncing at the feet of Champon, allowing England to scramble back. A huge let-off for the Red Roses. Menager won’t want to watch that one back
Wasteful England snatch at chances
16:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle at Ashton GateThis is turning into a thoroughly wasteful ten minutes or so from England, the Red Roses snatching at their chances, rather. France are under pressure at the scrum and it was a slight surprise to see the hosts kick to the corner after earning a penalty in that area rather than look to turn the screw - yet it is still very rare to see them fail to score from two five-metre lineouts.
There are a few frustrated voices in teh Ashton Gate crowd, plus some French fans making themselves heard with cries of “Allez Les Bleues” - this has been an impressive half from their side.
England 7-5 France, 32 mins
16:07 , Luke BakerThis is really scrappy from England in the red zone. Loose pass from Harrison hits the deck, Breach tries to collect but it goes forward to Kabeya.
That’s four or five mistakes near the line from the Red Roses already. They need to tidy this up because they’re keeping Les Bleues in the game.
England 7-5 France, 30 mins
16:05 , Luke BakerBIG scrum by England - they splinter the French pack and win the penalty!
Kick to the corner, lineout secured and the maul moves them within five metres... But knocked on again in the first-receiver channel! England’s precision hasn’t been there in the 22.
France kick clear but Kildunne returns it to the 22.
NO TRY! England 7-5 France, 28 mins
16:04 , Luke BakerThe England maul marches forward, grinding its way into the 22. Hunt then snipes off the side and offloads to Heard on the crash ball but the ball is fumbled forwards.
Or is it? The ball goes loose, Heard picks up and goes over for the try. But we’ll have a check with the TMO. And yep, try ruled out as Heard did knock on.
France scrum on their own five-metre line.
England 7-5 France, 27 mins
16:01 , Luke BakerMeg Jones AGAIN with the turnover as she defends a maul. Unbelievable.
And Hannah Botterman gets in on the action by getting over the ball shortly after as England win it back again. This is a decent platform from the attacking lineout.
TRY! England 7-5 France (Nassira Konde, 25 mins)
15:58 , Luke BakerFrance probably should have scored but they’re slow to support Escudero as she’s inches short of the line. England can scramble back to defend initially.
Slow, through the phases but eventually they’re over! The ball is spread to the right and Nassira Konde has green space in front of her to dive over. A quick TMO check but we’re all good.
Tricky conversion and the attempt slips wide of the post. But France narrow the deficit
England 7-0 France, 23 mins
15:55 , Luke BakerFrance are having plenty of possession in this first half and now they make great ground down the right as Menager skips through a tackle and offloads inside to Escudero.
Gets them within a metre of the line
England 7-0 France, 21 mins
15:53 , Luke BakerAbbie Ward now getting in on the jackalling action. A France maul is marching towards the line but the second rower gets in to spoil it.
England then win a scrum penalty as France are pinged for collapsing it and the Red Roses exit beyond the 22. They’ve seen off that spell of pressure well.
England 7-0 France, 18 mins
15:51 , Luke BakerSneaky! France got to the front from a lineout and now have a great platform in the England 22.
Patience as they run through the phases, quick feet by Konda to skip through multiple tackles. But Meg Jones again there for England! What a game she’s having and she jackals a breakdown turnover - she’s a back row masquerading as a centre!
England making jackal presence known
15:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle at Ashton GateEngland’s preference for Sadia Kabeya over Marlie Packer has probably left them without their best back-row breakdown operator, but there is jackal threat right across the park in this side. Hannah Botterman, par excellence in that area, has already come up with one huge ruck involvement close to her own line and Meg Jones just earned that penalty there with a sharp bit of work from centre partner Tatyana Heard to chop down Kelly Arbey in space.
England 7-0 France, 15 mins
15:48 , Luke BakerNine missed tackles for France already... They are ambitious in attack though and Escudero produces a lovely offload to Bourgeois to get into English territory.
Jones with a big tackle though, knocking a French attacker backwards! The classy centre packs a punch in defence. Kabeya then goes low and wipes out another ball-carrier before Cokayne then does likewise. This is hard-hitting defence by the Red Roses!
England 7-0 France, 12 mins
15:43 , Luke BakerThe scrum rotates but we get it away at the fourth time of asking. France go left, then right before Cokayne snatches an interception but she immediately loses the ball in the tackle.
Good cover defence by the Red Roses, hey pinch the ball back and Jones thumps a kick well behind the retreating French defence. Smart play. England in control of the territory again, although Arbez produces a stunning clearance kick of her own under pressure in response.
England 7-0 France, 10 mins
15:41 , Luke BakerFrance win a penalty near halfway and, interestingly, opt for a scrum. Trying to match up to England physically.
We get a standard reset first time round and then a second reset. This was a blight on the England v Scotland quarter-final last week. And now a third straight messy scrum. Sometimes rugby doesn’t help itself...
The referee pulls the front rows aside for a chat but this really isn’t great. She does lay down the law at least.
Ellie Kildunne's impact on show early
15:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle at Ashton GateWow - talk about impact from the returrning Ellie Kildunne. The full-back’s name got comfortably the biggest cheer ahead of kick off, and she’s made her back immediately, one dazzling counter-attack followed by that fine finish after delicious hands from the three forwards inside her. There is a sense that Helena Rowland actually is slightly more astute positionally in patrolling the backfield (France have nearly caught out Kildunne with the boot a couple of times already) but once she has the ball in her hands, there simply is no-one better.
TRY! England 7-0 France (Ellie Kildunne, 5 mins)
15:37 , Luke BakerSuperb! England show a flash of what they’re capable of as the best team in the world.
Ellie Kildunne showed a glimpse of what she can do in the open field before and now she gives a full demonstration.
Quick hands from the Red Roses on halfway and prop Botterman ships the final pass to Kildunne tight to the left touchline. She turns on the gas from there, blazing away down the flank before expertly cutting inside the covering defender and striding in under the posts.
Easy conversion and a perfect start for England
England 0-0 France, 3 mins
15:34 , Luke BakerThe French scrum is shaky but they manage to get the ball out and make decent yards down the left flank. Then there’s a barrelling carry from the powerful Brosseau deep in the 22 but she’s isolated and Botterman forces the turnover at the ruck. England clear.
Shortly after, World Rugby Player of the Year Kildunne has an opportunity o return a kick and dances her way past three defenders as the crowd rise in crescendo. Showing a bit of what she can do, the England full back
England 0-0 France, 1 min
15:32 , Luke BakerIf you look up ‘inauspicious start’ in the dictionary, firstly what are you doing, secondly, you’ll see a video of the first 20 seconds here.
England skipper Zoe Aldcroft spills the opening kick-off forward before France knock on themselves shortly after.
KICK-OFF! England 0-0 France
15:30 , Luke BakerWe’re underway at Ashton Gate. Carla Arbez boots the ball into the Bristol sky and the battle for a place in the World Cup final is underway
This could be a lot of fun!
Anthems done
15:29 , Luke BakerI tell you what, they might not win on the pitch today but France will always be victors in the national anthem stakes.
La Marseillaise an absolute banger. A decent rendition of the far more prosaic God Save the King for what it’s worth
England v France team news
15:25 , Luke BakerWe’re about five minutes from kick-off. Here’s a reminder of the teams for this semi-final.
Zoe Harrison is preferred to Holly Aitchison at fly half for England and Carla Arbez starts at No 10 for France, with regular fly half Lina Queyroi missing out through concussion.
England XV: 1 Hannah Botterman, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Maud Muir; 4 Morwenna Talling, 5 Abbie Ward; 6 Zoe Aldcroft, 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Alex Matthews; 9 Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt, 10 Zoe Harrison; 11 Jess Breach, 12 Tatyana Heard, 13 Meg Jones, 14 Abby Dow; 15 Ellie Kildunne.
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.
France XV: 1 Yllana Brosseau, 2 Agathe Gerin, 3 Rose Bernadou; 4 Madoussou Fall Raclot, 5 Hina Ikahehegi; 6 Charlotte Escudero, 7 Lea Champon, 8 Teani Feleu; 9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus, 10 Carla Arbez; 11 Marine Menager (capt.), 12 Gabrielle Vernier, 13 Nassira Konda, 14 Kelly Arbey; 15 Morgane Bourgeois.
Replacements: 16 Elisa Riffonneau, 17 Annaelle Deshaye, 18 Assia Khalfaoui, 19 Taina Maka, 20 Seraphine Okemba; 21 Alexandra Chambon, 22 Lina Tuy, 23 Emilie Boulard.
Ashton Gate ready for semi-final
15:15 , Luke BakerThis will be a spectacular occasion today. Ashton Gate will be packed and the fans are already out in force, with even the player arrivals packed out
