Kat Merchant
2014 England World Cup winner on BBC One

France are looking brave in their attack. England don't decide to just run it, they decide to run it deep from inside the 22. That's how they are looking to play today.

It's a good start from France, with Emeline Gros bursting down the right hand side and stopped five metres out. The ball is spun left but spilled, England are spending much of the opening on the back foot.

England steal it back and Ellie Kildunne runs down the right and kicks ahead, but is taken out late by fly-half Assia Khalfaoui. The England full-back is up eventually, it's not judged as foul play and England get the scrum on halfway.

England get the game under way, Holly Aitchison takes an awkward bouncing return kick nicely but then it's turned over and France threaten the England line.

Claudia Macdonald
Injured England scrum-half on BBC One

"For women's rugby to have that opportunity [to be shown on BBC One] is massive. It's in people's faces. We will have a new captivated audience of currently non-rugby players and audience, who want to come and watch women's rugby and want to be involved. I think it's really exciting."

Under a year to go, while as for today we are just a few minutes away...

There's a decent crowd at Kingsholm, and weatherwise it is overcast but dry and a touch muggy.

The teams are out, and another season of international rugby is nearly upon us!

Maggie Alphonsi
2014 England World Cup winner on BBC One

I am ready to go! Give me my boots! It's exciting times for women's rugby, the interest in women's rugby and women's sport has seen this rapid growth.

We are seeing huge viewing figures and we are seeing more investment in women's rugby in general, so it's a really exciting time to be part of women's rugby, leading up to what will be an amazing year to come.

"It's a place that smells of rugby and has a real rugby community," says John Mitchell

"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."

Image source, Getty Images

"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," says England captain Marlie Packer.

"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."

2024: France 21-42 England

2023: England 38-33 France

2022: France 7-13 England

2022: France 12 - 24 England

2021: France 15 - 17 England

2021: England 10 - 6 France

In fact, England have won their last 13 encounters with France stretching back to 2018.

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

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.

Image source, Reuters

As the Red Roses face a familiar foe from the Six Nations, thoughts may be turning to the 2025 World Cup but there is a tough autumn schedule for England to deal with first.

In a week's time there's a mouthwatering clash with New Zealand, then a trip to Canada for meetings with the USA, New Zealand and Canada in the WXV1, but first up is today's date at Kingsholm.