BRISTOL - England head coach John Mitchell, captain Zoe Aldcroft, Mastercard Player of the Match Ellie Kildunne, Megan Jones, Rosie Galligan, Marlie Packer, Hannah Botterman, Alex Matthews and Abbie Ward speak after their win over France in the Rugby World Cup 2025 semi-final at Ashton Gate Stadium on Saturday.

John Mitchell, head coach

On whether he was surprised by how close France pushed England:

"Not at all. I knew they were going to come at us. You could tell through the events during the week and the emotion they shared in their warm-up. We just had to win, fight our way out of it. We were nice and calm at half-time. It will do us a lot of good, that. We were just a bit inaccurate in the first half. This occasion does create different pressures and emotions and you just have to be able to handle it."

On whether a tough game gives him more confidence than an easy win:

"Without a doubt. Our girls are so driven to be better. To get yourself out of a difficult performance like tonight is a credit to them. Defensively, in the middle of the field we were very good. There was some courage and a lot of heart shown there."

On facing Canada:

"Two really good sides in the final, number one in the world and number two and they both deserve to be there. It's awesome for the game."

Zoe Aldcroft, captain

On how hard they were pushed by France:

"We knew they were going to come after us. They have faced adversity all week. Our defence - I cannot fault the girls. I'm so proud we've got here, we're going to a final. I am super excited for the week."

On the secret of taking things in their stride:

"Just being connected as a team. We believe in ourselves so much and that goes such a long way. We're embracing the whole experience and we have so much fight in this team."

On the final:

"We can't believe it. We cannot wait to get out there. We're going to prepare as well as we can."

On the country getting behind the team:

"We've felt it from the start of the tournament. We can't thank the crowds enough. We love every single one of you and it means so, so much to us."

Ellie Kildunne, Mastercard Player of the Match

On playing behind the England pack:

"It's insane. The first thing I said was I've stolen that from the rest of the team. Hannah Botterman, Maud Muir, all the forwards, you saw the defence they put in today. I barely had to make any tackles so I don't know why I got it (the Player of the Match award). Thank you to all the support, thank you to my team. We've got a final to go to, we need you there."

On what it means to score two tries:

"It doesn't mean anything, really, because the rest of the team do the work. The crowd are so loud, we feel the love. Keep it coming, this is not the end."

On how excited she is about the final:

"I'm absolutely buzzing, this is all we've been dreaming of. We've got another week of training and we'll keep our heads down. We know what we've got coming. I don't even know what to say any more!"

Megan Jones

On her emotions:

"I feel so much elation and joy and super proud of the girls. Defensively we fronted up and that is exactly what we want to show. There's a lot of passion in our defence. We're relentless, we repeat our efforts. We've earned the right for another week and we'll go again. Yes, attack we can brush up on a few things but we're super confident going into next week."

On whether there is frustration with the England attack:

"It's just ball retention. As long as we keep the ball. We're good without it as well. It's not something we're worried about. We just know we need to trust the process. You can build pressure by building phases as well and that is something we'll keep brushing up on."

On the first half being difficult for England:

"It's funny. Both teams are trying to get the ball and score, everyone is trying to put pressure on each other. You want to get a feel of it. You come out all guns blazing and then people lose a bit of steam and you start getting gaps. Ellie Kildunne finds them super well, I don't know how she does it. We just kept going. It's a process of 80 minutes and it's never going to be one half wins the game."

On her jackalling:

"It's always been part of my game, I just haven't had much opportunity there. When the collisions are dominant and we win the collision that's probably where you can get a good turnover. I come from sevens so tackle-jackal is part of my remit, part of my game."

On her hair plait that has gone viral on social media:

"It’s still going strong. It was actually really long last week. We get Braid Maidens in to do our hair and it varies from time to time. I think I like it a little bit longer but it’s gone curly because of the rain. That’s why Ellie’s hair is in plaits, because she looks like a soggy dog when she gets wet."

On maintaining her positive attitude and being a role-model to her teammates:

"Perspective is a beautiful thing; it’s easy to act the victim, it’s easy to play the victim. I think you deal with the cards you’ve been handed and you can only play with those cards and that’s the important part. It’s never easy, being positive all the time but I find joy in helping others and inspiring others."

On getting a tattoo related to Bristol:

"We haven’t got it booked yet, so next week in London. I’m going to get hot-air balloons but Hannah’s (Botterman) already got hot-air balloons. Potentially the Severn Bridge or maybe Clifton Suspension Bridge as well."

Rosie Galligan

On it being a tough test for England:

"It wasn't easy at all. We made it hard for ourselves but rugby is all about those pressure moments and who can perform best. In the first half we had a few mistakes where we put pressure on ourselves but at half-time we had a good chat about being more direct and playing to our strengths, getting people on the ball who can carry and kick and playing down in France's red zone."

On whether England were inhibited by having no major battles so far:

"We love the battle. We love playing against France. They tested us today. That's what we want. We know we've got things to work on next week. We're in a World Cup final and that is the best feeling in the world."

Marlie Packer

On reaching the final:

"It's been three years in the making. The girls have put the performance in today, the squad of 32, but it's been a massive effort to get there. The way Ashton Gate has been this weekend, the crowd is right behind us and the atmosphere was amaxing. We want to take it to Allianz Stadium and enjoy the occasion. We want to enjoy the week.

"Canada have got this story about how they've had to fund their way to this World Cup. The Red Roses are world number one, the team everyone wants to beat. We need to focus on ourselves and enjoy this occasion. How often do you get a home World Cup? We've put in a really tough performance against France. France had nothing to lose. We knew we needed to stayed in the fight. We've got the result and so now we'll enjoy it."

Hannah Botterman

On whether Ellie Kildunne robbed her of the Mastercard Player of the Match award (joking):

"She played well, didn't she? I'm going to try to be pragmatic. There were a few girls who could have taken that today but she does score wonder tries and get us out of tricky spots. I don't think she necessarily robbed anyone but everyone was deserving (laughs)."

On how much it means to have reached the final:

"Missing out last time was difficult. I tried to enjoy the experience today. I really enjoy playing in these big games. We knew we had to get this job done first and we still have one more massive job to do."

On whether she was fired up to lay down a marker ahead of the final:

"I was massively disappointed and didn't feel like I'd got into a rhythm of it. I didn't play the second game, and came off early in the third and didn't play the fourth. I wanted to put my best rugby out there and I did that in certain areas today. I am pleased with that. We've got a massive week coming up."

On playing Canada in the final:

"Not surprised. They have been playing very good rugby, a different style than most teams play. We are excited to play them. A big game for them yesterday, they've probably got some sore bodies."

On whether there would be any celebrations this evening:

"No, no celebration. We've not won anything!"

On how difficult it is for the front row in poor weather conditions:

"It’s something we work on, it’s not a fluke. We work on it week in and week out. We know that sometimes wet games mean more scrums and we look forward to that, and we got a decent pay-out today."

On what Bristol tattoo she’s going to get, along with Meg Jones:

"I haven’t made a decision. I’ve got too many Bristol-based ones on me. I’ve already got a balloon and I’ve got a bear, so I need to have a think. If anyone has any ideas, let me know."

Alex Matthews

On England’s second-half display after a poor first half:

"We just stuck at it, and you want things to learn from, so we’re only going to be better ready for next weekend, which we will need to be."

On how will the team recover:

"We get to go home tonight, so I’m going to go for brunch with the family tomorrow. I don’t really know, though, depends on how the body feels; maybe go for a walk, maybe go to the pool."

On whether she ever thought a Women’s Rugby World Cup would be like this:

"I could never have imagined it would come to this. Even just walking off the pitch, everyone stayed in the stands to cheer us off, which never used to happen. To be able to have spread this World Cup amongst the North, Midlands and South-West and it be sold out is just amazing. We want to share rugby with the whole country."

Abbie Ward

On how special it was to win at Ashton Gate as a Bristol Bear:

"It’s so special. I’m so proud that we’ve been able to take rugby across the whole nation, having started up in Sunderland. It was really special, but to bring knockout rugby to Bristol - this is my home, I play for the Bristol Bears. I know what Bristol can bring as a city - the energy, the culture. It’s been so amazing not just for me to be here but to bring the Red Roses here and show them what Bristol’s about. I couldn’t have written it better."

On rugby players being both parents and players after these matches:

"It’s unbelievable, it’s what we do. We do this every day at club level. To know you’re supported and it’s accepted, encouraged and celebrated on the international stage, it’s amazing. It’s not just about inspiring young girls and boys, it’s also inspiring mothers and other people that they can do this too. It’s amazing when you get a message saying, ‘Oh, I stopped playing when I started my family but actually seeing you do it has helped me to start exercising again or pick up the ball and reconnect with old teammates again'. Anything we can do to help inspire that is quite special."

On whether her daughter understands the tournament and how good her mum is:

"I don’t know. I ask her who her favourite player is and it’s not me. It’s Amy Cokayne or Hannah Botterman. I ask her, 'Do you think Mummy is good at rugby?' and she said 'no'. So I don’t know, I’ll keep trying to impress her."