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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Sarah Rendell

England and France ready to fight for a shot at Women’s World Cup glory

England France World Cup Alex Matthews the Red Roses Andrew Matthews Hannah Botterman John Mitchell
Alex Matthews in training with England before the Women's Rugby World Cup semi-final against France.
‘I used to be very anxious, an overthinker,’ said Alex Matthews of England. ‘It feels like another game, to be honest. Same process, same prep. It’s just a game.’ Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

Eighty minutes against France stand between England and another Rugby World Cup final, a game everything has been geared towards since their defeat by New Zealand in the finale of the last edition in 2022. France have been one of the few nations to threaten the Red Roses during a subsequent 31-game winning streak and the world No 1 side will not underestimate them in Saturday’s semi-final.

While away games in the past three years have brought big wins for England against France, most recently a 40-6 World Cup warm-up victory, it has been a different situation at home, where games have come down to the wire.

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