At Ashton Gate in Bristol, Les Bleues saw their dream of reaching the final dashed. The French women's rugby team lost 35-17 to England in the World Cup semi-final. Gaëlle Mignot's players held their own against the favorites for a long time before succumbing in the final half-hour to the might of the Red Roses.
A promising but sterile first half
The start of the match suggested a surprise. Solid in defense and dominant in possession, the French kept the English off the ball for long stretches. Nassira Konde finished off a superb team move, scoring a first French try that sowed doubt in the English ranks. But too many clumsy attempts in the opponent's 22-meter box, missed passes, and wasted opportunities prevented the Blues from taking the lead at halftime.
The turning point after the hour mark
With just a two-point lead at halftime, England were far from confident. But as the minutes ticked by, their pack's power and physicality made the difference. Amy Cokayne scored from a carry, Abbie Ward added a decisive try, and Ellie Kildunne, already on target in the first half, sealed the match with a blistering burst of pace. The gap widened quickly, leaving France with no way out.
Regrets for the Blues
Despite a second try from Konde and a fine team effort finished by Kelly Arbey, the French women were unable to reverse the trend. Their lack of realism in the key moments and a drop in physicality after the hour mark cost them dearly. This setback marks the 17th consecutive defeat against the Red Roses, but the content of the first hour suggests encouraging potential for the future.
A small final against New Zealand
England will play their World Cup final against Canada, while France will play the third-place play-off against New Zealand next Saturday. For Les Bleues, the goal will be to finish on a positive note and cement their dominance with a medal, so as not to leave empty-handed from a competition where they have shown they can compete with the best.
