Ellie Kildunne and Hannah Botterman have returned from injury to bolster England's bid to reach the World Cup final by toppling France at Ashton Gate on Saturday.
In a major boost for the Red Roses, world player of the year Kildunne is restored at full-back after recovering from the concussion that forced her to miss last weekend’s quarter-final rout of Scotland.
And the pack have also been strengthened with the availability of Botterman, the loosehead prop who has overcome a back spasm in time for the last-four showdown in Bristol.
Helena Rowland and Kelsey Clifford, who crossed twice as Scotland were swept away 40-8, drop to the bench to make room.
Head coach John Mitchell has made two further changes, the starting XV with fly-half Zoe Harrison and second row Abbie Ward promoted after acting as replacements for the quarter-final.
Their selection means Holly Aitchison and Rosie Galligan are given supporting roles for 'Le Crunch’.
Wing Jess Breach and outside centre Megan Jones continue in the backline as the only players to have started every game, with Mitchell reverting to the same XV that featured against the United States in the tournament opener on 22 August.
England have won their last 16 matches against France, who beat Ireland in the quarter-finals, dating back to 2018, but in their two most recent meetings on home soil they just held off mighty comebacks from their Six Nations rivals.
They won 38-33 in 2023 and 43-42 in 2025, but on both occasions they crumbled having built impressive leads.
"Ashton Gate set the stage for a strong performance in tough conditions last weekend and the girls are eager to get back out there for the semi-final," Mitchell (above) said.
"We’ve earned this stage and now we’ve got another chance to earn the right. Our game is working and is the right way. By working together we’ll keep getting better.
"France have faced challenges and that will drive them – we expect it.
"We don’t need to be perfect, just effective, focused and ready for the fight. We’re excited and ready to hunt them."
Meanwhile, France have drafted the inexperienced Hina Ikahehegi into their second row to replace suspended captain Manae Feleu.
The 22-year-old Ikahehegi has only started once for Les Bleues in their 84-5 victory over Brazil in Exeter in the pool phase of the tournament but has received a vote of confidence from coaches Gaelle Mignot and David Ortiz.
It had been expected that Charlotte Escudero would move to lock from the back of the scrum but she has been switched to the flank to allow Teani Feleu to come in at number 8.
Feleu suffered a foot sprain at the start of the World Cup but returned as a substitute in last Sunday’s narrow quarter-final victory over Ireland.
The switch among the loose forwards comes after a nine-match suspension handed to Axelle Berthoumieu for biting in the match against Ireland.
Feleu was handed a three-match suspension for a dangerous tackle in that game.
The other changes are Marine Menager moving from centre to the left wing, allowing Nassira Konde to return at centre, while Carla Arbez plays at fly-half after concussion ruled out Lina Queyroi.
Despite coming off with a suspected concussion against Ireland, Rose Bernadou starts in the front row.
The bench will be a 5:3 split, rather than the forward-heavy 6:2 split used in the last two matches.
England: Ellie Kildunne; Abby Dow, Megan Jones, Tatyana Heard, Jess Breach; Zoe Harrison, Natasha Hunt; Hannah Botterman, Amy Cokayne, Maud Muir; Morwenna Talling, Abbie Ward; Zoe Aldcroft, Sadia Kabeya, Alex Matthews.
Replacements: Lark Atkin-Davies, Kelsey Clifford, Sarah Bern, Rosie Galligan, Maddie Feaunati, Lucy Packer, Holly Aitchison, Helena Rowland.
France: Morgan Bourgeois; Joanna Grisez, Nassira Konde, Gabrielle Vernier, Marine Menager (capt); Carla Arbez, Pauline Bourdon Sansus; Yllana Brosseau, Agathe Gerin, Rose Bernadou; Hina Ikahehegi, Madoussou Fall Raclot; Charlotte Escudero, Lea Champon, Teani Feleu.
Replacements: Elisa Riffonneau, Annaele Deshayes, Assia Khalfaoui, Taina Maka, Seraphine Okemba, Alexandra Chambon, Lina Tuy, Kelly Arbez.
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Additional reporting: Reuters
