August 21, 2017
England vs France #WRWC2017 Semi-Final Preview
Photo: INPHO/Dan Sheridan [The captains of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 semi-finalists at Titanic Quarter in Belfast (L-R) Tiffany Faaee (USA), Fiao’o Faamausili (New Zealand), Gaelle Mignot (France) and Sarah Hunter (England).]
Doug Coil
England’s Red Roses will play France in the semi-finals of the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup on Tuesday, August 22 at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast at 19:45 local (2:45pm ET).
To reach the semi-finals, England defeated the USA 47-26, Italy 56-13 and in the opening round, Spain 56-5. France defeated Ireland 21-5, Australia 48-0 and Japan 72-14.
The Red Roses and France winner will meet the winner of the other semi-final, New Zealand vs. the USA, in the Final.
The match will be broadcast live on ITV 4 in the United Kingdom and in France on France 2 TV. In other countries, the match will be streamed on http://www.rwcwomens.com.
England v France
Red Roses head coach Simon Middleton has made two changes for the semi-final match against France. Rachel Burford returns at inside center with Lydia Thompson added to the wing.
Marlie Packer will win her 50th cap at flanker and forward Harriet Millar-Mills will reach the same milestone if she comes onto the match as a reserve.
England finished first in Pool B and is ranked second in the world. France finished first in Pool C and is ranked third.
England beat France 26-13 in the Six Nations earlier this year and were 10-5 winners in the Old Mutual Wealth Series in the autumn last season, but did lose 17-12 in France in the 2016 Six Nations meeting.
France has made two change for the semi-final match against England. Elodie Guiglion replaced Chloé Pelle at wing and Julie Annery replaced an injured Romane Ménager at flanker.
France have played high paced rugby with crisp passes and offloads. England distributes the ball well and their maul has been nearly flawless.
England Women v France: 1. Vickii Cornborough 2. Amy Cokayne 3. Sarah Bern 4. Abbie Scott 5.Tamara Taylor 6. Alex Matthews 7. Marlie Packer 8. Sarah Hunter (C) 9. Natasha Hunt 10. Katy Mclean 11. Kay Wilson 12. Rachael Burford 13. Emily Scarratt 14. Lydia Thompson 15. Danielle Waterman 16. Vicky Fleetwood 17. Rochelle Clark 18. Justine Lucas 19. Harriet Millar-Mills 20. Izzy Noel-Smith 21. La Toya Mason 22. Amber Reed 23. Megan Jones
France v England: 1 Annaelle Deshayes 2 Gaelle Mignot (cap) 3 Julie Duval 4 Lenaig Corson 5 Audrey Forlani 6 Marjorie Mayans 7 Julie Annery 8 Safi N’Diaye 9 Yanna Rivoalen 10 Caroline Drouin 11 Shannon Izar 12 Elodie Poublan 13 Caroline Ladagnous 14 Elodie Guiglion 15 Montserrat Amédée 16 Caroline Thomas 17 Lise Arricastre 18 Patricia Carricaburu 19 Manon André 20 Coumba Diallo 21 Jade Le Pesq 22 Carla Neisen 23 Chloé Pelle
