Overview
- Friday’s New Zealand v Canada and Saturday’s England v France semi-finals are set for Ashton Gate, with the winners advancing to a sold‑out final at Twickenham on September 27.
- England named Ellie Kildunne and Hannah Botterman to return, installed Zoe Harrison at fly-half and Abbie Ward at lock, as the top-ranked Red Roses carry a world‑record 31‑match winning run.
- France will be without co-captain Manaé Feleu and flanker Axelle Berthoumieu after tournament bans, with Carla Arbez starting at fly-half, Marine Ménager captaining, and Lina Queyroi ruled out with concussion.
- Canada retained an unchanged 23 after routing Australia, arriving confident off a 2024 win and an April draw against New Zealand and a tournament tally of 193 points scored to 31 conceded.
- New Zealand will miss flanker Jorja Miller through injury, with co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu covering at openside, while England coach John Mitchell defended a set‑piece‑led “route‑one” approach if conditions warrant.