Kildunne stars as England see off France to make final

Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final

England (7) 35

Tries: Kildunne (2), Cokayne, Ward, Jones Cons: Harrison 5

France (5) 17

Tries: Konde (2), Arbey Cons: Bourgeois

Ellie Kildunne scored two tries on her comeback as England dug deeper than they have all tournament to see off a stubborn France and book their place in a seventh successive Women’s Rugby World Cup final.

Kildunne, who missed the last-eight win over Scotland with concussion, thrillingly sliced France open either side of the break.

However, France were never out of the contest. The underdogs trailed 7-5 at half-time but could easily have led as England errors gave them a wealth of possession and territory.

The Red Roses improved after the interval, with a familiar driving maul delivering a try for hooker Amy Cokayne, before a short-range effort from Abbie Ward gave the hosts breathing space on the scoreboard.

Kildunne, who had scampered in for the game’s opening try after four minutes, then seized on Marine Menager’s heavy attempt to control the ball with her foot and weaved through the remnants of the France defence to make it 28-12 with a little over 10 minutes to go.

France centre Nassira Konde crossed for her second try to close the gap, but Meg Jones ensured England had the final say as she latched on to replacement Holly Aitchison’s kick to dot down.

The cheers that greeted Kildunne’s player of the match award from the 25,478-strong crowd were just as loud.

Canada, who outplayed defending champions New Zealand on Friday night, await in the 82,000 sell-out at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium next Saturday.

Without a clutch of first-choice players through injury and suspension, France’s odds had been lengthening in the build-up.

However, the visitors seemed to relish the chance to defy expectations.

With Fabien Galthie, France’s men’s coach, backing them from the stands, a rousing rendition of La Marseillaise brought second row Hina Ikahehegi and several of her team-mates to tears.

Kildunne killed some of that buzz inside the first five minutes. Showing no ill-effects from her lay-off, the full-back had already beaten three defenders on a jagging kick return, when she was sprung down the blindside a minute later.

Quick hands from Cokayne, Alex Matthews, Ward and Hannah Botterman sent Kildunne down the touchline and her quick feet did the rest, burning Konde and cutting inside the covering Kelly Arbey.

England were fortunate, however, that an apparent knock-on from Natasha Hunt at the base of the final ruck escaped the attention of the officials.

With Jones and Botterman hoovering up penalties at the breakdown, Ward and Maud Muir putting the brakes on France’s rolling maul and Cokyane waving off her opposite number after getting the better of a scrum, England were winning plenty of battles.

But still the war turned against them as England’s inaccuracy in attack kept France in the contest and their belief growing.

Centre Konde dived over to cut the hosts’ lead to 7-5 as England’s goalline defence was finally stretched thin after Arbey’s break down the opposite wing.

A spill by Tatyana Heard meant England surrendered a fine attacking platform five out from the French line, but it was Les Bleues who had the better chance to add to the scoreline before the break.

With Jess Breach in attendance, Menager just failed to get a pass away to Lea Champon with the line beckoning. The French captain then thought she had crossed herself shortly after, but Carla Arbez’s mis-pass drifted forward en route.

England’s senior leaders, led by Jones, convened a hasty on-pitch conference at the half-time whistle.

They used the break well. England emerged sharper for the second half. Abby Dow had already seen a try wiped off for a forward pass by Kildunne, shortly before a shock-and-awe lineout drive, powered by 10 of the team and covering 22m, ended with Cokayne dotting down.

France, who fought back from 13 points down to win their quarter-final against Ireland last weekend, stuck in the fight longer than any of England’s previous opponents in this World Cup.

Arbey crossed after a series of short-range forward thrusts to cut the deficit back to 14-12, but Ward restored England’s cushion, burrowing over after Dow had sat down Morgane Bourgeois.

Ultimately England were always one step ahead in the second half, with their bench once again giving them the legs on their opponents in the final quarter.

However, considering Canada’s heroics in dumping out the Black Ferns, the Red Roses may need more next weekend.

England: Kildunne; Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Talling, Ward, Aldcroft (capt), Kabeya, Matthews

Replacements: Atkin-Davies, Clifford, Bern, Galligan, Feaunati, L Packer, Aitchison, Rowland

France: Bourgeois; Arbey, Konde, Vernier, M Menager (capt); Arbez, Bourdon Sansus; Brosseau, Gerin, Bernadou, Fall Raclot, Ikahehegi, Squire, L Champon, T Feleu.

Replacements: Riffonneau, Deshaye, Khalfaoui, Maka, Okemba, A Chambon, Tuy, Boulard.