Summary

  • Use audio icon to listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary (UK only)

  • Kick-off is 08:00 BST at the Northlands Event Centre

  • England have won last 10 matches against France - and their last 26 Tests in total

  • Captain Sarah Hunter becomes joint most-capped England player with 137

  • England's penultimate Pool C game with South Africa to come

  • Get involved with #bbcrugby

Live Reporting

Sarah Rendell

  1. Our 5 Live commentary is brought to you by pastries and frothy coffee.

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  2. France 0-0 England

    France get the ball away quickly, all of their passes aren't slick but they are on the move. Madoussou Fall has made some good metres but Marlie Packer turns the ball over at the breakdown, not bad strength in depth when England can replace last week's Player of the Match Sadia Kabeya with Packer.

    England are in full flight now with Claudia MacDonald making a great break and while the Red Roses look to have lost it they win a scrum.

  3. France 0-0 England

    ActionGetty Images

    We have an early first scrum and it is England's, it goes straight down and referee Joy Neville calls for the teams to go again. On the second go England win the scrum penalty and Zoe Harrison kicks away.

    The kicking game comes into play, as predicted, but France are the first to run it through the hands. The French win a penalty as Sarah Bern doesn't leave the ruck fast enough. Game on!

  4. Kick-off

    France 0-0 England

    Here we go...

  5. 'Everything a Red Rose should be'

    France v England (08:00 BST)

    Katy Daley-Mclean
    England's 2014 World Cup-winning captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    First of all Sarah Hunter is very old to have been around for this long! This is Sarah's 25th game against France alone. She is everything a Red Roses should be. She is a fantastic player and a great person, she has come back from some difficult leader and is a great all round player.

  6. Marlie is a pivotal part of our team

    France v England (08:00 BST)

    England coach Simon Middleton speaking to ITV: "We have been looking forward to this one. Marlie Packer is a pivotal part of the team and one of the main cogs in our wheel. She will bring the physicality which is really important for us against France. Sarah Hunter is fully focused as always."

    Simon MiddletonGetty Images

  7. Anthems in full flow

    France v England (08:00 BST)

    AnthemsGetty

    Marjorie Mayans has led out both teams as she wins her 50th cap for France and now England and France are out on the pitch.

    The anthems are underway which means kick-off isn't too far off! I'm so excited for this clash, it's a match we could potentially see again in the semi-finals!

  8. France v England (08:00 BST)

    BBC 5 Live's coverage of this match has begun, click the link above this to listen into Sara Orchard, Katy Daley-Mclean and Ugo Monye for all the analysis! What a game we have on our hands, anthems to come.

  9. Get Involved

    Tweet #BBCrugby

    Let us know how you are feeling for Le Crunch! Who do you think will pip this thriller? England are favourites but the French could deal out an upset.

  10. France v England (08:00 BST)

    England or France could secure their quarter-final spot in this match. In order for either team to clinch the QF place they will have to beat their opposition with a bonus point. You know you're in World Cup season when the confusing table maths comes in!

  11. Teams arrived

    France v England (08:00 BST)

    We're edging closer to kick-off, here are the teams arriving for this massive World Cup clash...

    Red RosesGetty Images
    FranceGetty Images
    Coin flipGetty Images

  12. Team news

    France v England (08:00 BST)

    Both sides have revealed their starting XVs and they are full of stars.

    France have made one change from their win over South Africa with hooker Agathe Sochat coming in for Laure Touye. Celine Ferer will skipper the side with usual captain Gaelle Hermet on the bench as she returns from a knee injury.

    France: Chloé Jacquet; Joanna Grisez, Maëlle Filopon, Gabrielle Vernier, Emilie Boulard; Caroline Drouin, Laure Sansus; Annaëlle Deshaye, Agathe Sochat, Clara Joyeux, Céline Ferer (captain), Madoussou Fall, Charlotte Escudero, Marjorie Mayans, Romane Ménager.

    Replacements: Laure Touye, Coco Lindelauf, Assia Khalfaoui, Safi N’Diaye, Gaëlle Hermet, Pauline Bourdon, Lina Queyroi, Marine Ménager.

    England, meanwhile, have also made just one change with Marlie Packer coming in at seven for Sadia Kabeya. Captain Sarah Hunter will equal Rocky Clark's England cap record as the skipper wins her 137th cap against France.

    England: Ellie Kildunne; Lydia Thompson, Emily Scarratt, Helena Rowland, Claudia MacDonald; Zoe Harrison, Leanne Infante; Vickii Cornborough, Amy Cokayne, Sarah Bern, Zoe Aldcroft, Abbie Ward, Alex Matthews, Marlie Packer, Sarah Hunter (capt).

    Replacements: Connie Powell, Hannah Botterman, Maud Muir, Cath O'Donnell, Poppy Cleall, Lucy Packer, Holly Aitchison, Abby Dow.

    Sarah HunterGetty Images

  13. Morning!

    France v England (08:00 BST)

    Welcome back to our coverage of the Rugby World Cup! England will continue their campaign against rivals France shortly with kick-off at 8am BST but some matches have already taken place this morning.

    Scotland lost 14-12 to Australia, the Scots' second loss of the tournament after narrowly losing to Wales in round one, and the USA defeated Japan 30-17.

    Our attention is on Le Crunch which is both England and France's toughest pool match. The Red Roses will want to keep their World Cup campaign on track but also maintain their winning streak which will extend to 27 matches if they can defeat the French this morning. But France are searching for revenge after losing to England in recent Six Nations campaigns meaning they have not tasted title success since 2018.

    It is set to be a thriller but who is due to play for both sides? The team news is out so stay tuned for updates ....