England's World Cup countdown begins against France

Marlie Packer took over as England captain in 2023

Women's Test: England v France

Venue: Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester Date: Saturday, 7 September Kick-off: 14:30 BST

Coverage: Watch live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and online; updates on BBC Radio 5 Live; text commentary on BBC Sport website & app

Planning, preparing and peaking - that is what the next year looks like for the England women's team in preparation for a home Rugby World Cup.

As the timeline moved to 400 days until the final at Twickenham, the team gathered for a meeting to begin an unforgiving countdown.

The selection of tough September Tests against France and New Zealand before WXV1 in Canada shows John Mitchell wants to challenge his side over the next year.

Up first is France at Kingsholm Stadium on Saturday, a side the Red Roses have beaten 13 times in a row since 2018, and most recently defeated 42-21 in April to clinch a sixth consecutive Six Nations title.

"France are a great squad and we build our Six Nations around playing them because we know they are the best opposition we are going to get," England captain Marlie Packer told BBC Sport.

"They have started, over the last few years, to run over kick and that is because they have some great front five players, but their loose back row players are really handy at running and passing and getting involved in the wide channels."

Injuries bring 'new opportunity'

Throughout Mitchell's first Six Nations campaign he kept everyone guessing with his team selection.

It was all about rotation and opportunity to build depth and find out about his new players.

As the team settled towards the Grand Slam showpiece in Bordeaux, still no-one was ever properly safe.

Flanker Sadia Kabeya and centre Megan Jones ended the campaign as important players, but injuries have ruled them out of the entire autumn campaign, with lock Catherine O'Donnell joining them on the sidelines.

"Injuries are part and parcel of the sport we play and Mitch [Mitchell] is very big on if someone is injured then it is a new opportunity [for another player]," Packer added.

Flanker Maddie Feaunati starts her first Test on Saturday, while centre Helena Rowland comes in for Jones at 13, as Mitchell makes only two changes to his starting XV from the last meeting with France.

On the bench, England Under-20 captain and second row Lilli Ives Campion is set to make her senior debut, with the Red Roses light in the lock department.

Gloucester 'smells of rugby'

The Red Roses growth has been helped by playing across England at various stadiums.

Their last game at Kingsholm was during the 2022 Six Nations when they beat Wales 58-5 in front of a crowd of 14,869.

Six players in the matchday squad play their rugby for Premiership Women's Rugby champions Gloucester-Hartpury - including prop Maud Muir, who played in the 2022 Six Nations game against Wales.

"It was insane having that many supporters [in 2022]. Hopefully on Saturday we have the same amount of England supporters and it echoes through the whole stadium," Muir said.

"The Shed is a special part of the club. They are harsh in the Shed. I think that adds to it and it may not be very sporting, but that is Gloucester.

"You will hear them. Gloucester fans are loud."

New Zealander Mitchell has coached and played at Kingsholm before and is excited to return on the international stage.

"It's a place that smells of rugby and has a real rugby community," he added.

"I have fond memories of playing for the All Blacks at Kingsholm and winning my first game as Sale coach there.

"It's a special place and this weekend the girls have an opportunity to make their own memories together."

Line-ups

England: Kildunne; Dow, Rowland, Heard, Breach; Aitchison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Aldcroft, Talling, Feaunati, M Packer, Matthews.

Replacements: Atkin-Davies, Carson, Bern, Campion, Cleall, L Packer, Harrison, Scarratt.

France: Jacquet; Banet, Konde, M Menager, Boulard; Tuy, Chambon; Brosseau, Sochat, Khalfaoui, M Feleu (capt), Fall, Escudero, Gros, R Menager.

Replacements: Bigot, Mwayembe, Bernadou, Ikahehegi, Okemba, T Feleu, Bourdon Sansus, Vernier.