England’s Dominant Win Over France Boosts World Cup Hopes
England delivered a statement performance in their final Rugby World Cup warm-up, demolishing France 40-6 in a one-sided affair at Stade Guy Boniface. The Red Roses’ commanding victory not only extends their 16-game unbeaten streak against Les Bleues but also solidifies their status as tournament favorites ahead of the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
Forward Power Propels England to Victory
From the opening whistle, England’s pack asserted their dominance, overwhelming France at every set piece. Within the first 20 minutes, forwards Morwenna Talling, Amy Cokayne, and Maud Muir crashed over the try line, setting the tone for a relentless performance.
The maul was particularly devastating—France had no answer to England’s driving lineouts, which either marched forward for meters or yielded penalties. This forward supremacy allowed scrum-half Natasha Hunt to exploit quick opportunities, including a slick feed to Megan Jones for a try just after halftime.
Replacement hooker Lark Atkin-Davies capped off the performance with two late tries, showcasing England’s depth and physicality. Fly-half Zoe Harrison’s pinpoint kicking (5/6 conversions) ensured the scoreboard fully reflected England’s control.
World Cup Credentials on Full Display
This wasn’t just a win—it was a declaration. England’s biggest margin of victory over France since 2009 sends a warning to rivals ahead of the World Cup. While head coach John Mitchell insisted pre-match that performance mattered more than the result, the ruthlessness of this display suggests the Red Roses are peaking at the perfect time.
France, ranked fourth in the world and fielding a near full-strength side, looked helpless at times. Despite a vocal home crowd of 7,000, England remained composed, their discipline and execution never faltering. The breakdown battle was fierce, with French captain Manae Feleu even earning a yellow card, but England’s structure held firm.
Strengths and Areas to Refine
What Worked:
– Set-Piece Mastery: Lineouts and scrums were near-flawless, providing the platform for sustained pressure.
– Defensive Grit: England’s smothering defense limited France to just two penalties, denying them any try-scoring opportunities.
– Composure Under Pressure: Unlike their nail-biting 43-42 win over France last year, this was a controlled demolition.
Room for Growth:
– Backline Precision: A few loose passes and handling errors could prove costly against sharper defenses like New Zealand or Canada.
– Kicking Variability: While Harrison was accurate, more tactical kicks in play could further stretch opponents.
A World Cup Warning to the Competition
England’s emphatic win erases any lingering doubts about their World Cup readiness. The squad’s blend of set-piece dominance, defensive resilience, and clinical finishing makes them the team to beat. With the tournament kicking off on August 22nd against the United States, the Red Roses have momentum firmly on their side.
Looking ahead, France will undoubtedly seek redemption if the teams meet again in the knockout stages. But after this performance, England’s belief will be sky-high. Few teams can match their forward power or tactical discipline, and if they iron out minor backline errors, a second World Cup trophy is well within reach.
Key Takeaways for England’s World Cup Campaign
✅ Forward Dominance – The pack laid the foundation with relentless mauling and set-piece control.
✅ Defensive Wall – France barely threatened the try line, a testament to England’s organized defense.
✅ Big-Game Mentality – From pre-match poise to post-try celebrations, the team oozed confidence.
England has made their intentions clear—anything less than World Cup glory will be a disappointment. With this performance, they’ve given fans every reason to believe.
