This is how we reached the biggest RWC final ever to take place: Canada thumped New Zealand under lights 34-19. England beat France less convincingly the next day 35-17. It means a second final between the two successful nations, with an unparalleled audience in the largest rugby stadium in the world and a vast global
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
Canada outplayed New Zealand for the third time in three games to earn their first entry to a final since 2014. Their all-round excellence in attack and defence was on show again in front of a packed house in Bristol. Inside ten minutes they had posted two tries. Renee Holmes made the first several errors
This is the French 23 chosen by the co-selectors to face England in the second semi-final. 15 BOURGEOIS 14 GRISEZ 13 KONDE 12 VERNIER 11 M. MENAGER 10 ARBEZ 9 BOURDON-SANSUS 1 BROSSEAU 2 GERIN 3 BERNADOU 4 FALL RACLOT 5 IKAHEHEGI 6 ESCUDERO 7 CHAMPON 8 T. FELEU 16 RIFFONNEAU 17 DESHAYE 18 KHALFAOUI
Here’s the squad to face France at the weekend: 15 KILDUNNE 14 DOW 13 JONES 12 HEARD 11 BREACH 10 HARRISON 9 HUNT 1 BOTTERMAN 2 COKAYNE 3 MUIR 4 TALLING 5 WARD 6 ALDCROFT (captain) 7 KABEYA 8 MATTHEWS 16 ATKIN-DAVIES 17 CLIFFORD 18 BERN 19 GALLIGAN 20 FEAUNATI 21 L. PACKER 22 AITCHISON
Kevin Rouet is in the happy position of being able to announce an unchanged side for their clash with New Zealand They saw off Australia 46-5 last time round, and have every intention of reaching a second final after 2014. This is the squad: 1 McKINLEY HUNT 2 EMILY TUTTOSI 3 DALEAKA MENIN 4 SOPHIE
Here’s the latest from Kiwiland: Jorja Miller will miss the semi- final against Canada. The injury is unspecified, but a knee is suspect. Add to that the withdrawal of Laura Bayfield. Kiwi anxiety is calmed somewhat by the naming of co-captain, Kennedy Tukuafu, as Miller’s replacement. Layla Sa’e is brought in for Bayfield. The squad
Now we know the four teams: Canada, England, France and New Zealand. Cynics will say they’ve known them for years. Sadly they’re right, but there’s no short cut to glory. Each of the four has its own approach to these final stages. Once again in alphabetical order: Canada was the union to place its cards
I doubt if any RWC has known events like this. After the France-Ireland match on Sunday not one, but two citings were entered by Ireland. Manae Feleu, co-captain of France, was accused of a dangerous tackle. But far more serious, Axelle Berthoumieu; the blind-side flanker, was accused of biting Aoife Wafer’s arm. A disciplinary committee
In stark contrast to the melodrama in Exeter earlier, the England-Scotland match in Bristol was a foregone conclusion. The only parallel was the rain; it poured. Not for the first time in this tournament, the side destined to lose scored first. The moment Aurelie Groizeleau offered the Scots a penalty, Rachel Malcolm pointed to the
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