Experienced quartet return as England name team for RWC 2025 semi-final

Ellie Kildunne and Hannah Botterman have recovered from injury to take their place in England’s starting XV for Saturday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 semi-final against France in Bristol.

The two players sat out the 40-8 quarter-final defeat of Scotland at Ashton Gate last Sunday, having each been forced off in the final pool-stage game against Australia in Brighton.

However, they are fit to return for the semi-final against Les Bleues, and head coach John Mitchell has made a further two changes to the team that beat Scotland.

Abbie Ward is promoted from the bench to partner Morwenna Talling in the second row, as is Zoe Harrison, who gets the nod at fly-half ahead of Holly Aitchison.

Fixture

Women's Rugby World Cup

France Women

17 - 35

Full-time

England Women

All Stats and Data

Kelsey Clifford, Rosie Galligan, Aitchison and Helena Rowland all drop to the bench for Saturday’s meeting with France.

Mitchell said: “Ashton Gate set the stage for a strong performance in tough conditions last weekend, and the girls are eager to get back out there for the semi-final.

“We’ve earned this stage, and now we’ve got another chance to earn the right. Our game is working and is the right way; by working together we’ll keep getting better.

“France have faced challenges, and that will drive them – we expect it. We don’t need to be perfect, just effective, focused, and ready for the fight. We’re excited and ready to hunt them.”

England team to play France:
15 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 55 caps)
14 Abby Dow (Unattached, 57 caps)
13 Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 31 caps)
12 Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 34 caps)
11 Jess Breach (Saracens, 51 caps)
10 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 63 caps)
9 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 85 caps)
1 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 60 caps)
2 Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks, 87 caps)
3 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 46 caps)
4 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 26 caps)
5 Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 79 caps)
6 Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 67 caps) – captain
7 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 26 caps)
8 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 79 caps)

Replacements
16 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 72 caps)
17 Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 19 caps)
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 77 caps)
19 Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 29 caps)
20 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 21 caps)
21 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 37 caps)
22 Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks, 42 caps)
23 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 44 caps)