August 22, 2017
England Second Half Effort the Difference Against France; Advance to #WRWC2017 Final
Photo: INPHO/Bryan Keane
Doug Coil
England’s Red Roses beat France 20-3 in the semi-finals of the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup on Tuesday, August 22 at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. With the win, England will play New Zealand, who defeated the USA 45-12. France will play the United States for the Bronze.
England v France Recap (Preview)
France have the first sustained attack of the match and dominate possession during the first ten minutes, but England defends and Lydia Thomson breaks, but the ball is lost forward.
Despite the possession by France early in the match, England’s Emily Scarratt give the Red Roses a 3-0 lead at the 17th minute, as she slots a penalty kick.
The Red Roses threatened with six minutes prior to the break with France being quick to the breakdown and gaining possession. A penalty by England then resulted in a Shannon Izar penalty kick from long range to knot the match at 3 all.
England had the first scoring opportunity of the second half, getting to within inches from the line. With a penalty by France, England elected to go for the posts and Emily Scarratt did not disappoint, as the Red Roses took a 6-3 lead. Scarratt had another opportunity to increase the lead, but her kick was off target.
With the momentum having swung to England during the second half, England scored the first try of the match as Sarah Bern powered over on a pick and go. Scarratt then converted to increase the lead to 13-3.
France attacked right back with Montserrat Amédée into space. The forwards then took over with Julie Annery stepping into touch just prior to the line after Megan Jones saving the try. After the ensuing lineout at 5 meters, England won and cleared. French miscues are impacting their continuity in attack.
The combination of Montserrat Amédée and Jade Le Pesq runs almost resulted in a try for France, but Megan Jones made a try saving tackle.
Megan Jones then punctuated their win with a try by Megan Jones and a conversion by Emily Scarratt for a 20-3 win.
With the win, England will face New Zealand in the Final, while France will play the United States for the Bronze.
This is the seventh time that France has made the Semi-finals, however they have yet to advance to the finals.
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 (C) 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
