Can French romance and rebellion defy dominant Red Roses?

France vs. England in the women’s rugby world cup semi-final

Date: Saturday, September 20th Kick-off: 15:30 BST

Statistics . At France’s new conference on Thursday, the word “” kept coming up.

One of France’s head coaches, Gaelle Mignot, said, “The stats are on England’s side.” The statistics don’t favor us, they say.

In response to the Red Roses’ run of form, the other team, David Ortiz, said, “There is no other team in any sport with those stats.”

Of course, they are correct. Only the obvious was being confronted by Ortiz and Mignot. Every opponent has a big number in front of them.

England have won a total of 31 Tests since the final Rugby World Cup final. They have won 61 of their previous 62 games, most of which have resulted in significant winning margins. In this competition, no one has ever come within 30 points of winning.

France have already lost 16 of their previous 16 games to England, which is a terrible record.

Believers can soon wane in the shade of such stats.

L’Equipe, a French newspaper, described England’s dominance as a “new Ice Age” that “seems to be far from finished.”

The numbers provide more comfort, however, if France goes beyond those headline figures and into the fine details.

because no one has improved or worked harder for England’s current winning streak.

France are the only team to have beaten England by seven points in that time, coming back from a point at Allianz Stadium in April and falling behind by five at the same time two years.

For Red Roses head coach John Mitchell, France have proved to be dangerously volatile opponents, reveling in chaos, refusing to die, and frequently threatening to ruin the party.

He told Rugby Union Weekly, “I don’t read too much into an opposition, but I do study the psychology of one.”

You’ll never work out them because, regardless of the circumstance, they can be inspired and fight together as a collection.

Their recent performance against England has been so, relatively, good because they ignore the numbers and lean more toward magic.

Marine Menager, the captain, said, “It’s about how you see sport.”

You’re mistaken if you only look at the statistics, they say. Every game is unique, which is a plus in sport, especially at this level.

The past is irrelevant in a World Cup semi-final.

To keep England at bay, France will need all that romanticism and rebellion.

England defeated France 40-6 in Mont-de-Marsan to halt their most recent clash.

The French pack has lost the strength and skill of Axelle Berthoumieu and Manae Feleu, who were both suspended for biting and high tackle, since the quarter-final defeat against Ireland.

Lina Queyroi, who started with a concussion at age 10 in the final eight, is out. The team’s top try-scorer and metre-maker, Joanna Grisez, had to step down one day before the match.

Menager is no slouch, but it looks risky to shift her from midfield to the wing, in opposition to Abby Dow’s express pace.

However, France’s reward is enthralling and inspiring.

Les Bleues’ first Women’s Rugby World Cup final appearance would be a jaw-dropping heist, as well as a return to a sold-out Allianz Stadium at the hosts’ expense.

Mitchell has supported his well-known stars to keep it at bay. Despite having inconsistent play so far in the tournament, Ellie Kildunne, who the coach refers to as “our best full-back,” returns at full-back after a concussion.

Holly Aitchison has been replaced by Zoe Harrison, her first choice 10 since the middle of the Six Nations.

Despite her stand-in Kelsey Clifford scoring two tries against Scotland in the final eight, Hannah Botterman makes a comeback as loose-head prop despite a back issue.

The rotations and adjustments seem to have ended with two matches between them and the glory.

England has focused on their prize and rested on a team.

The squad had a slumber-party movie night on Wednesday night for their weekly bonding opportunity.

On the projector was installed the noughties movie Step Up, which follows an underdog dancer on a big stage.