Zürcher Nachrichten - Depleted France eager to 'throw sand in England's machine' in World Cup semi-final

History is against France as they prepare for their latest encounter with tournament favourites England, unbeaten against all opponents since a 2022 World Cup final defeat by New Zealand -- who face Canada in Friday's first semi-final at Ashton Gate.

France have lost all eight of their previous World Cup semi-finals, including an agonising 25-24 reverse against New Zealand three years ago after a last-minute conversion that would have won them the game sailed wide.

They have also suffered 16 successive defeats by England, with their last win in 2018.

Although France were edged out 43-42 at Twickenham in this season's Six Nations, they were thrashed 40-6 by their old foes in a World Cup warm-up match in Mont-de-Marsan last month.

As if that were not enough, France go into this weekend's game without co-captain Manae Feleu and Axelle Berthoumieu, after the pair were hit with tournament-ending bans for offences committed in a thrilling 18-13 quarter-final win over Ireland --

Feleu was given a three-game suspension for a head-high tackle, with flanker Berthoumieu ruled out for 12 matches, reduced to nine on appeal, for biting Ireland's Aoife Wafer in a match where France were 13-0 behind at half-time.

Hina Ikahehegi comes in for Feleu at lock, with Charlotte Escudero moving from No 8 to blindside flanker to replace Berthoumieu. Teani Feleu, Manae's sister, comes off the bench to start at No 8.

"It's been a big week," France co-head coach Gaelle Mignot told reporters on Thursday after naming her side earlier in the day.

"Learning that some of our players can't finish their World Cup is always tough –- I'm thinking of Manae in particular. These things mark a group because it's more than rugby, it's a human adventure, bonds we’ve built over three years."

- 'Girls are determined' -

Mignot, meanwhile, accepted the odds were against France, saying: "We’re very clear in our minds: we're the underdogs, but we've got the character to show we're in this semi-final for a reason.

"We've got the tools. Our aim is to throw a bit of sand in England's machine. They're the best team in the world, no doubt. But if we want to win this tournament, we'll have to beat them at some point."

England, however, were huge favourites to win the 2022 World Cup final only to fall at the last hurdle, with Mignot saying: "Back then, everyone expected them to score off that maul and close it out, but they didn't.

"Those are the moments we can use to believe. The girls are determined."

Marine Menager, now France's lone captain on the field and just one of three players in Saturday's starting side to have enjoyed a win over England, admitted it had been an unusual build-up.

"Sanctions are a bit different," said Menager, moved from outside centre to left wing.

"But we're such a tight group and we’ve used it as strength. It's brought us closer."

I.Widmer--NZN