England v France live: Score and updates as Red Roses battle bitter rivals in Women’s World Cup semi-final

The French scrum is shaky but they manage to get the ball out and make decent yards down the left flank. Then there’s a barrelling carry from the powerful Brosseau deep in the 22 but she’s isolated and Botterman forces the turnover at the ruck. England clear.

Shortly after, World Rugby Player of the Year Kildunne has an opportunity o return a kick and dances her way past three defenders as the crowd rise in crescendo. Showing a bit of what she can do, the England full back

If you look up ‘inauspicious start’ in the dictionary, firstly what are you doing, secondly, you’ll see a video of the first 20 seconds here.

England skipper Zoe Aldcroft spills the opening kick-off forward before France knock on themselves shortly after.

We’re underway at Ashton Gate. Carla Arbez boots the ball into the Bristol sky and the battle for a place in the World Cup final is underway

This could be a lot of fun!

I tell you what, they might not win on the pitch today but France will always be victors in the national anthem stakes.

La Marseillaise an absolute banger. A decent rendition of the far more prosaic God Save the King for what it’s worth

We’re about five minutes from kick-off. Here’s a reminder of the teams for this semi-final.

Zoe Harrison is preferred to Holly Aitchison at fly half for England and Carla Arbez starts at No 10 for France, with regular fly half Lina Queyroi missing out through concussion.

England XV: 1 Hannah Botterman, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Maud Muir; 4 Morwenna Talling, 5 Abbie Ward; 6 Zoe Aldcroft, 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Alex Matthews; 9 Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt, 10 Zoe Harrison; 11 Jess Breach, 12 Tatyana Heard, 13 Meg Jones, 14 Abby Dow; 15 Ellie Kildunne.

Replacements: 16 Lark Atkin-Davies, 17 Kelsey Clifford, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Rosie Galligan, 20 Maddie Feaunati; 21 Lucy Packer, 22 Holly Aitchison, 23 Helena Rowland.

France XV: 1 Yllana Brosseau, 2 Agathe Gerin, 3 Rose Bernadou; 4 Madoussou Fall Raclot, 5 Hina Ikahehegi; 6 Charlotte Escudero, 7 Lea Champon, 8 Teani Feleu; 9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus, 10 Carla Arbez; 11 Marine Menager (capt.), 12 Gabrielle Vernier, 13 Nassira Konda, 14 Kelly Arbey; 15 Morgane Bourgeois.

Replacements: 16 Elisa Riffonneau, 17 Annaelle Deshaye, 18 Assia Khalfaoui, 19 Taina Maka, 20 Seraphine Okemba; 21 Alexandra Chambon, 22 Lina Tuy, 23 Emilie Boulard.

The pressure is, of course, on England today as the big favourites of home soil. Can they deliver?

This will be a spectacular occasion today. Ashton Gate will be packed and the fans are already out in force, with even the player arrivals packed out

It’s New Zealand’s Maggie Cogger-Orr in charge today, the referee likely to have a busy outing given how both sides have been seemingly relishing the prospect of a physical contest this afternoon. The suspicion, by the way, is that it will be Scotland’s Hollie Davidson appointed for the final again three years after officiating New Zealand’s win over England.

Assistants Clara Munarini and Kat Roche are both experienced Test refs, too. A strong team today.

Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZ)

ARs: Clara Munarini (Ita) & Kat Roche (USA)

FPRO: Andrew McMenemy (Sco)

Manae Feleu spoke well earlier in the tournament about the work France had done to expand their leadership group, Marine Menager taking on more responsibilities over the last year or so before stepping up to co-captaincy status for this campaign. There are plenty of international coaches who are reluctant to appoint outside backs as skippers, given the natural problems that playing their position poses in terms of communicating with the referee, and Menager will have to really take charge in the tough moments today.

“It was tough to hear that Manae won’t be on the field with us this weekend,” the wing said this week. “But she’s still with us, still has a big role every day. She’s still a captain alongside me in the prep. It’s just Saturday when I’ll be the only one wearing the armband. But I’ve got the whole leadership group around me, helping with decisions and strategy. So nothing really changes. Manae and I have prepped together. During the match, we’ll make decisions collectively as a group.”

England have used their scrum and maul as real weapons in this tournament, but know they will face a tougher test today against a far more fearsome pack than any they have faced so far. The returning Hannah Botterman spoke brilliantly on the battle up front on Thursday: