England reached another RWC final, but not as expected. France, frustrated by events, threw everything at them, but came up short for the ninth time running.
The wet ball helped cause two knock-ons at the start, one English, one French.
The game lurched as England won a sudden turnover; the ball moved quickly via Abbie Ward to Ellie Kildunne on the left edge. She ran the distance. (7-0)
When France won a penalty in their own half, they opted confidently for a scrum. The front-rows collapsed; Brian Moore spotted Yllana Brosseau pushing at an angle. She went unpunished.
The sun came out!
Carla Arbez inserted a fine 50:22. France attacked, but Megan Jones regained possession once more.
Kevin Rouet (undoubtedly the Coach of the Tournament) was looking on, working out why England were spending so much time in deep defence.
On 25 minutes the ball spun wide to Nassira Konde who scored. (7-5)
Moments later Jones held Kelly Arbey up as she threatened the line. Outstanding!
England thought Tat Heard had scored, but the TMO, Rachel Horton, spotted a knock-on in the build-up. Every score and non-score seemed laden with significance.
The Red Roses had an escape when Marine Menager caught Pauline Bourdon-Sansus’s chip, but her inside pass failed to find a recipient. Next, Menager went over, only for the last pass to be deemed forward. That was at least 10 points lost.
England were looking fallible on the edges again. Zoe Harrison was happy to kick the ball into touch as Les Bleues menaced once more.
Half-time: England 7 France 5
England had been untidy. The pack hadn’t dominated as much as expected. The French were players possessed.
England were likely to prove dominant in the second half, not least because of France’s three absences; not just the two under bans but Joanna Grisez, a late withdrawal.
Indeed it was all England at the start. The ball flew to Abby Dow. Was she over? No, another forward pass!
France responded so well that it needed a Kildunne clearance to 30 metres out. A French overthrow let Amy Cokayne spread the ball. Another Kildunne kick gained huge territory; the pack drove, and Cokayne scored. (14-5)
France came hard again, happy to opt for a scrum at a penalty. The pack closed to within one metre; the ball went wide and Arbey was over. (14-12)
France missed a chance to go ahead with another wonky line-out. England countered with a drive, completed by Abby Ward. (21-12)
On 65 minutes Mitchell made four more changes, leaving only Helena Rowland still waiting.
England had a spot of luck when a kick through cannoned back straight into Kildunne’s hands. She ran brilliantly to score. (26-12)
There was a worry as she hobbled around, but she stayed on a short while.
France attacked again. Now Konde was on hand to score. (26-17)
As the clock advanced, Jones made another vital jackal, now inside the French 22. With a minute left, Hollie Aitchison pushed a grubber through against a post. Jones was there to post the final try.
Result: England 35 France 17
Player of the Match: Ellie Kildunne (it should have been Meg Jones or even Hannah Botterman)
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZR)
Attendance: 25,478
Teams
England: 1 BOTTERMAN 2 COKAYNE 3 MUIR 4 TALLING 5 WARD 6 ALDCROFT (captain) 7 KABEYA 8 MATTHEWS 9 HUNT 10 HARRISON 11 BREACH 12 JONES 13 HEARD 14 DOW 15 KILDUNNE
16 ATKIN-DAVIES 17 CLIFFORD 18 BERN 19 GALLIGAN 20 FEAUNATI 21 L. PACKER 22 AITCHISON 23 ROWLAND
France: 1 BROSSEAU 2 GERIN 3 BERNADOU 4 FALL RACLOT 5 IKAHEHEGI 6 ESCUDERO 7 CHAMPON 8 T. FELEU 9 BOURDON-SANSUS 10 ARBEZ 11 M. MENAGER 12 VERNIER 13 KONDE 14 ARBEY 15 BOURGEOIS
16 RIFFONNEAU 17 DESHAYE 18 KHALFAOUI 19 MAKA 20 OKEMBA 21 CHAMBON 22 TUY 23 BOULARD
