England captain Zoe Aldcroft drops the ball from kick-off. That was my fault for hyping her up.

We are under way at a wet Ashton Gate in Bristol. France struggled against Ireland in their quarter-final when it was wet.

Maggie Alphonsi
2014 England World Cup winner on BBC One

It does not matter what was in the past, what the results were, it is all about what happens now. This England team, in front of a packed out crowd, have to perform if they want to get to that final.

Image source, Getty Images

Ugo Monye
Former England winger on BBC Rugby Union Weekly podcast

This England team and backline look way sharper and have way more options and play faster and a more fluid brand. I think they operate as a better team.

Zoe Aldcroft is completely locked in as she sings her side's national anthem. The England captain was excellent in the quarter-final after missing the final two pool games through injury.

Maggie Alphonsi
2014 England World Cup winner on BBC One

You have to embrace these occasions, for some of these players this is the biggest moment in their career and their lives. It all starts now, and they have got to put on a performance.

Former England captain Maggie Alphonsi believes France can cause the Red Roses problems, but is still backing John Mitchell's side.

"England look really strong and have figured out how to win games in different ways," she added.

Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Ashton Gate

Her form has been patchy, she missed the Scotland win, but one thing has been constant about Ellie Kildunne at this tournament - the crowd reaction to her name being announced.

As the team is read out, the England full-back is roared to the rafters.

The most decibels of any home player. Can she now bring the noise on the pitch?

If the teams are tied at full time the match will go into sudden death extra time.

There are two halves of 10 minutes allocated and the first team to score any points will win the match.

If there is still no winner after the sudden death period, a kicking competition involving five players from each side will take place.

Simon Middleton
Former England women head coach on BBC One

It is always incredibly exciting playing France, there is such a great tradition between them and so many close games. England are on a fantastic winning streak, but many of them have been really close.

England Rugby

England head coach John Mitchell, speaking to BBC Sport: "We have been working for this for a long time, its another climb, hopefully the conditions will stay away and allow us to dictate and build pressure in their half.

"We must not draw our plans on what other people are doing, we know our game is effective and we must stick to it.

"This is a great tournament and we are treating France with great respect."

Ruby Tui
New Zealand World Cup winner on BBC One

There has been no 80-minute test for England, so I am hoping France bring something that they are not prepared for,.

Mark B: England have to win this. Failure is not an option. England haven't been tested for single minute in this tournament.

France second row and co-captain Manae Feleu, who was nominated for player of the tournament at this year's Six Nations, misses the game after failing in her appeal against a suspension.

The 25-year-old was handed a three-match ban - reduced to two if she completes tackle school - after being cited for a high tackle against Ireland.

The all-action lock is one of France's best players and will be a big loss given her offloading and line-out abilities.

Marine Menager will captain Les Bleues from the left wing, with her side also missing back row Axelle Berthoumieu, who had her 12-match ban for biting reduced to nine on appeal.

France wing Joanna Grisez, who was due to start the game, has been ruled out through injury.

Kelly Arbey now starts and Emilie Boulard comes onto the bench.

Grisez scored a stunning try against the Red Roses in April and the decisive score against Ireland in the quarter-finals, but Arbey also scored a cracker and is a big threat.

France: Bourgeois; Arbey, Konde, Vernier, M Menager (capt); Arbez, Bourdon Sansus; Brosseau, Gerin, Bernadou, Fall Raclot, Ikahehegi, Squire, L Champon, T Feleu.

Replacements: Riffonneau, Deshaye, Khalfaoui, Maka, Okemba, A Chambon, Tuy, Boulard.

Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Ashton Gate

Image source, BBC Sport

A great old-school warm-up from the French, who circle up, drop down do some press-ups, stretch off the hamstrings and do that neck-press exercise.

The rain has just started hammering down by the way.

The weather looks a lot like last weekend when England found a way through the maelstrom to beat Scotland.

Image source, BBC Sport

The last fixture between the sides came in a World Cup warm-up game in August, with the Red Roses comfortably winning 40-6 in Mont-de-Marsan.

"That means nothing. None of the warm-ups against France mean anything," England head coach John Mitchell said.

"I don't think they take them too seriously. They only switch on when something is at stake, and there is something at stake this weekend.

"There's an end point for both teams. They've earned the right to be where they are, too."

Ugo Monye
Former England winger on BBC Rugby Union Weekly podcast

France do have talent, but have they got enough to do it for 80 minutes?

Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Ashton Gate

Image source, BBC Sport

This is the second part of a double-header for Julie Hutchings far left, and family. They were all here last night getting behind Canada as they swept past the Black Ferns and into the final.

Hutchings, who celebrated her 40th birthday this week, played alongside Marlie Packer back in the day.

She pronounces herself 85% confident of an England victory. That is pretty punchy, but in line with the bookmakers odds. They have France as 1-33 outsiders.

Here are Ellie Kildunne's new wheels for the game.

The CCC x Ellie Speed Elite boots are a limited-edition release.

Talk about being a star....

Image source, Canterbury

Ellie Kildunne returns from a concussion sustained in England's final pool-stage game against Australia a fortnight ago to take her place as starting full-back.

The 26-year-old World Player of the Year sat out of the quarter-final win over Scotland, but has come through the necessary medical checks to add pace and attacking intent to England's back three.

Prop Hannah Botterman - who has been a force in the loose and at the breakdown so far at the tournament - returns at loose-head prop after back spasms, replacing Kelsey Clifford, who scored two tries against Scotland in her absence.

Zoe Harrison's game management means she is preferred at fly-half to Holly Aitchison, who impressed at times against Scotland.

Abbie Ward is promoted from the bench and will partner Morwenna Talling, with Rosie Galligan named as a replacement.

England: Kildunne; Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Talling, Ward, Aldcroft (capt), Kabeya, Matthews

Replacements: Atkin-Davies, Clifford, Bern, Galligan, Feaunati, L Packer, Aitchison, Rowland

Image source, Getty Images