The excitement surrounding the Women’s Rugby World Cup is palpable, especially for the England women’s rugby team as they prepare for their final warm-up match against France. Scheduled for Saturday, August 9, at the Stade Guy Boniface, this encounter is set to kick off at 20:10 BST, and it promises to be a thrilling prelude to the much-anticipated tournament. Fans can catch the action live through BBC iPlayer and the official BBC Sport website, complete with live text commentary and radio updates.
Highlighting the match is Ellie Kildunne, the world player of the year, who is poised to earn her 53rd cap in this warm-up match against a fierce opponent, France. Kildunne’s presence has been eagerly anticipated since she missed England’s nail-biting 43-42 victory over the same team during the Six Nations in April due to a leg injury. Her return marks a significant boost for the squad as they seek to finalize their preparations for the World Cup.
This match serves as more than just an opportunity for individual players like Kildunne to shine; it functions as a crucial step for the entire team to test its strategies and responses against a strong competitor like France. Zoe Harrison will maintain her spot at fly-half following a dominant performance in the recent 97-7 win over Spain. However, significant changes to the starting lineup indicate that Coach Simon Middleton is keen to experiment with combinations and build depth within the squad. Specifically, there are 11 adjustments from the previous match, which include Abby Dow taking a position on the wing and a revamped front row featuring players like Hannah Botterman, Amy Cokayne, and Maud Muir.
The coaching staff has also decided to bring back team captain Zoe Aldcroft at blind-side flanker, adding strength and leadership to the squad along with Sadia Kabeya and Alex Matthews, who will complete the back row. This strategic shuffle is indicative of England’s approach to get every player match-ready ahead of the World Cup.
The official team for England is as follows: Kildunne will take the lead; she is supported by Dow, Jones, Heard, and Breach in the backline. The scrum-half is Harrison, with Hunt by her side, while the forward pack will include Botterman, Cokayne, and Muir. Meanwhile, Talling, Ward, Aldcroft, Kabeya, and Matthews round out a highly competitive lineup. As for substitutes, players like Atkin-Davies, Clifford, Bern, Galligan, Feaunati, L. Packer, Rowland, and Sing have been named, offering a wealth of options off the bench.
As the rugby world turns its attention toward this match, the themes of preparation and resilience are prevalent. For Kildunne and her teammates, this is more than just a warm-up; it’s a chance to sharpen their skills and build chemistry as they gear up for the challenges that await in the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
In summary, the impending match against France represents a crucial step in England’s quest for success. It is an occasion filled with promise and potential as the coaching staff takes this opportunity to finalize roster decisions and instill confidence in the squad. With star players like Kildunne returning from injury and a nearly full-strength lineup, expectations are high, and the stakes are clear. The match not only serves as a test of skill and strategy but is also emblematic of the spirit and determination of a team that is ready to make a mark on the world stage.
