England delivered a commanding statement ahead of hosting the Women’s Rugby World Cup, overpowering France 40-6 in Mont-de-Marsan in their final warm-up match. The Red Roses crossed for six tries through Morwenna Talling, hookers Amy Cokayne and Lark Atkin-Davies (twice), prop Maud Muir and centre Meg Jones, with fly-half Zoe Harrison landing five conversions. France’s reply was limited to two penalties from full-back Morgane Bourgeois. The result stretched England’s unbeaten run to 27 Tests, a sequence that now spans 1,002 days, and marked their 16th successive victory over France. Full-back Ellie Kildunne came through her first appearance since April without problems after a hamstring injury, bolstering head coach John Mitchell’s near-full-strength line-up before the tournament opener against the United States in Sunderland on 22 August. French co-coach Gaëlle Mignot and flanker Charlotte Escudero admitted to “frustration” over the side’s discipline and vulnerability to England’s driving maul but insisted the heavy defeat would galvanise preparations. Les Bleues begin their World Cup campaign against Italy in Exeter on 23 August, followed by pool games with Brazil and South Africa. Elsewhere in World Cup build-up, Australia suffered a setback when former Olympic sevens champion Charlotte Caslick was ruled out of the tournament through injury, further reshaping the competitive landscape two weeks before kick-off.