A chance for trophy glory, for a piece of rugby history, an opportunity to end 11 years of hurt. These are all things England have the opportunity to grasp next Saturday at a sold-out Twickenham against Canada but it will not be an easy match by any stretch of the imagination, and based on these semi-final performances alone, the Maple Leafs should be favourites. The Red Roses were put under immense pressure by France, who posed England the most questions they have been asked since the last time they played one another in England, last April.
Le Crunch is usually a tense and close battle when hosted in England, the last one coming in the Women’s Six Nations with England clinging on to a 43-42 thrilling win. France were pegged by many before kick-off on Saturday as firm underdogs but they let their actions show what they thought of that with a thoroughly impressive performance, particularly in the first half, frustrating and dismantling the Red Roses.
