Women Rugby World Cup: The England women’s team is preparing for their World Cup semifinal against France. With an unusual but meaningful team bonding exercise. Rosie Galligan revealed that the Red Roses will be hosting a pamper night in their team hotel in Bristol before the highly anticipated clash at Ashton Gate.
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The idea is to create a relaxed environment where the players can unwind. Switch off from the pressure of rugby, and strengthen their unity ahead of what is expected to be a fierce contest. Galligan explained that the players are planning to wear pyjamas, bring their own face masks. And gather together in the team room to watch a film.
She stressed how important these moments of togetherness are. Because once they step onto the pitch, the squad must be fully committed to each other. As they face the intensity of war against their French rivals. England head into the semifinal as firm favourites, having enjoyed an extraordinary run of dominance against France in recent years. They have beaten Les Bleues in each of their last 18 encounters, a streak that stretches back to 2018.
England Women Rugby World Cup: Red Roses Ready for Semifinal as Galligan Highlights Hostile Atmosphere
However, their last two home victories have been far from straightforward. In 2023, England edged a 38–33 win after letting France back into the match late on, and in 2025. They narrowly scraped a 43–42 triumph despite holding what had looked like a comfortable lead. These close finishes serve as reminders that France always rise to the occasion against England, particularly when the rivalry is played out on home soil.
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Galligan admitted that the fixture carries a unique energy, noting how hostile atmospheres often define meetings between the two nations. Whether in France or in England, she explained, both sets of players know how much the rivalry means and are determined never to take it for granted. As the Red Roses gear up for their semifinal.
Flanker Axelle Berthoumieu was handed a 12-match ban after admitting she bit Ireland’s Aoife Wafer during their tense quarterfinal victory in Exeter. The incident, which occurred during France’s narrow 18–13 win, was initially missed on the field. Wafer complained to the referee, prompting a referral to the Television Match Official.
Women Rugby World Cup 2025: World Rugby Cites Seriousness of Biting Incident
The citing commissioner later charged Berthoumieu, and in a disciplinary hearing, she confessed to biting Wafer. The panel ruled that her actions were serious enough to warrant a red card and that no significant mitigation could be applied despite her remorse. World Rugby explained that the seriousness of the act, combined with her ability to avoid continuing it, made a lengthy suspension necessary.
With 27 caps since her 2019 debut, Berthoumieu has been an important part of France’s World Cup campaign, featuring in all four of their matches so far. Her absence for the remainder of the tournament and beyond is a major setback for Les Bleues. France’s problems did not end there. Captain Manaé Feleu was also sanctioned after being cited for a dangerous tackle during the same match against Ireland.
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Like Berthoumieu, her foul play was not penalised on the field, but the citing panel reviewed footage and found her guilty of head-on-head contact at speed. Although Feleu admitted there had been foul play, she argued that the incident did not warrant a citation. The panel disagreed and issued a three-match ban, ruling her out of the semifinal against England and likely the final or bronze final, depending on France’s results.
Women Rugby World Cup: England vs France Women’s Rugby Rivalry Defined by Pride and Intensity
She has since appealed the decision, and her case is under review, but her suspension threatens to leave France without its inspirational leader at the most crucial stage of the tournament. The contrasting fortunes of the two teams set the stage for a fascinating semifinal. England, confident yet wary of their rivals, are choosing to focus on mental and emotional preparation as much as their rugby.
The pamper night is designed to strengthen trust and camaraderie, giving them the off-field closeness that translates into on-field resilience. France, meanwhile, is battling disruption and uncertainty, with disciplinary bans overshadowing their preparation. The loss of Berthoumieu and the potential absence of Feleu could strip them of both experience and leadership.
Nevertheless, the rivalry between England and France remains one of the fiercest in women’s rugby, and history suggests that no matter the circumstances, Les Bleues will not go down without a fight. England may be favourites, but they know that past performances have shown how quickly momentum can shift against a French side that thrives on intensity and national pride.
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