England's Rosie Galligan wins the line out during the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 semifinal match between France and England at Ashton Gate, in Bristol, England, Saturday, September 20, 2025. ANDREW MATTHEWS / AP
Ellie Kildunne marked her return from concussion with two tries as tournament hosts and favorites England saw off a spirited France 35-17 in their Women's Rugby World Cup semi-final in Bristol on Saturday, September 20. But the full-back, the current World Player of the Year, had to limp through the closing 11 minutes after England had cleared their bench.
England, into their seventh final in a row – but beaten in five of the last six by New Zealand – will now face Canada in next Saturday's final in front of an already sold-out Twickenham crowd of 82,000. England will be bidding to win the World Cup for the first time since defeating Canada in the 2014 final in Paris.
Canada, second behind England in the world rankings, ended double-defending champions New Zealand's 11-year unbeaten run at the World Cup with a superb 34-19 win in Friday's first semi-final in Bristol.
England, unbeaten since an agonizing 2022 World Cup final loss, were just 7-5 ahead at half-time after a try by full-back Kildunne was converted by Zoe Harrison before outside center Nassira Konde went over for France.
