England attack coach Meadows says Red Roses still have more to give ahead of France semi-final
Attack coach Lou Meadows believes England have only "scratched the surface" of their potential at the Women's Rugby World Cup and warns of France's second-half threat ahead of the semi-final at Ashton Gate.
Women's Rugby World Cup semi-final: England vs France
Venue: Ashton Gate, Bristol Date: Saturday, September 20 Kick-off: 15:30 BST
Coverage: Live on INLIBER One, Sports Extra and the INLIBER Sport app
England’s attack coach Lou Meadows says the Red Roses have only “scratched the surface” of their potential in this World Cup, despite scoring 38 tries in four games on their way to Saturday’s semi-final against France at Bristol’s Ashton Gate.
Twenty-two of those tries came from a dominant forward pack, raising questions over the backline’s cutting edge as they prepare to face tougher opposition.
“I don’t pay much attention to criticism – I’ve got too much work to do,” Meadows said. “It comes down to execution. We’ve had moments of brilliance, and if a few last passes had connected, we’d be celebrating champagne rugby.
With the weather, you don’t want to play it safe; you want to go all out, and that’s what we’ve tried. That approach brings errors, but we’re only at the start of what we can achieve.”
Meadows joined the Red Roses in April 2023 to introduce more variety to a team known for its power game. While she acknowledges progress, she believes there is still work to redefine women’s rugby with their style of play.
“We’re not close to changing the game yet,” she added. “There’s huge room for improvement, especially in attack. But the girls have shown they can cross the line and win the way we want, whether through forwards, backs or kicking. All elements are coming together.”
Ellie Kildunne 'tracking well' for semi-final
Full-back Ellie Kildunne sat out the quarter-final win over Scotland after concussion in the pool-stage win over Australia. Meadows is optimistic she will clear protocols in time for the France clash.
“Ellie is tracking really well,” he said. “She’s keen to get back – she’s twitchy on the sidelines – and we’re excited to have her energy in the squad.”
France’s second-half threat looms
Ranked fourth in the world, France have a reputation for comebacks, having closed large deficits against England in recent Six Nations and World Cup meetings. Meadows warned his side to expect a fierce second-half battle.
“On home soil, the second half will be crucial,” he said. “France will throw everything at you. Their tenacity after halftime is a real threat.”
Meadows insists England have yet to reach their full potential and cautions that France’s second-half resolve will be a key challenge in the semi-final.
This topic was reported by BBC Sport.
Discover the latest news and current events in Sports News as of 17-09-2025. The article titled " England attack coach Meadows says Red Roses still have more to give ahead of France semi-final " provides you with the most relevant and reliable information in the Sports News field. Each news piece is thoroughly analyzed to deliver valuable insights to our readers.
The information in " England attack coach Meadows says Red Roses still have more to give ahead of France semi-final " helps you make better-informed decisions within the Sports News category. Our news articles are continuously updated and adhere to journalistic standards.