Since defeat in the 2022 final the hosts have won 31 games in a row but semi-final foes France have pushed them closest
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ighty minutes against France stand between England and another Rugby World Cup final, a game everything has been geared towards since their defeat by New Zealand in the finale of the last edition in 2022. France have been one of the few nations to threaten the Red Roses during a subsequent 31-game winning streak and the world No 1 side will not underestimate them in Saturday’s semi-final.
While away games in the past three years have brought big wins for England against France, most recently a 40-6 World Cup warm-up victory, it has been a different situation at home, where games have come down to the wire.
England staved off a French comeback at Twickenham in the 2023 Six Nations – the final score was 38-33 – and in April this year a comeback and a last-minute try left England clinging on in the grand slam decider before coming through 43-42. The Red Roses know a complete 80-minute performance is needed to ensure a shot at lifting the World Cup next week for the first time since 2014.
