In a breathtaking display of power and precision, England's Red Roses have charged into the Rugby World Cup final after a commanding 33-12 victory over fierce rivals France in Auckland.
The semi-final clash was a brutal, nail-biting affair for the first hour, with England clinging to a narrow 15-12 lead. The tension was palpable, but the Red Roses exploded in the final quarter, scoring three unanswered tries to seal their place in history.
Early Jitters and French Resistance
The match did not start according to plan for the tournament favourites. England's Emily Scarratt uncharacteristically missed two early penalty kicks, keeping the scoreboard static. France capitalised on this reprieve, with Caroline Drouin slotting a penalty to put Les Bleues on the board first.
England's response was swift and powerful. A magnificent driving maul from a lineout steamrolled towards the French line, with hooker Amy Cokayne emerging from the pile of bodies with the ball to score the first try of the night.
The Decisive Moment
With the game hanging in the balance at 15-12, the momentum shifted on a pivotal moment of French misfortune. A miscommunication near their own try-line saw the ball spilled directly into the path of English flanker Alex Matthews, who pounced to score a crucial try.
This blow seemed to break French resolve. From there, the Red Roses shifted into unstoppable gear, showcasing the depth of their squad.
Super-Subs Seal the Deal
Head coach Simon Middleton's replacements proved decisive. Prop Sarah Bern, a force of nature all tournament, bulldozed her way over the line for a try shortly after coming onto the pitch.
The final nail in the French coffin was hammered in by another substitute, winger Claudia MacDonald. She finished a spectacular, sweeping team move to race into the corner, her celebration saying it all as the English victory was confirmed.
A Date with Destiny in Eden Park
This hard-fought win sets up a dream final against the undefeated hosts, New Zealand's Black Ferns, at a sold-out Eden Park next Saturday. The stage is now set for an epic confrontation between the world's number one and number two ranked teams.
England will be chasing their first World Cup title since 2014, aiming to extend their incredible 30-match winning streak and complete their journey to redemption after their heartbreak in the 2017 final.
