RWC2025 | England head coach John Mitchell, captain Zoe Aldcroft and Player of the Match Ellie Kildunne speak after their win over France

England head coach John Mitchell, captain Zoe Aldcroft and Mastercard Player of the Match Ellie Kildunne 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!"