Preview: World Cup Semi-Finals

New Zealand v United States (5pm)

History gives a measure of the challenge awaiting the United States in their semi-final against the New Zealand.

The USA may have never lost a semi-final, but this is also their first since 1998. It is the second time the two teams have met at this stage, and that previous meeting, 26 years ago in 1991, which was also the last (and only) time the USA have won the fixture. Since then the teams have met eight times, and theclosestresult was New Zealand’s 34-3 win in Marcoussis three years ago. Looking at the two teams’ performances in the current World Cup it feels unlikely that history will change course.

The United States have been one of the revelations of the World Cup. The integration of the stars of their sevens team have made them an incredibly potent attacking force, but England showed the team’s limitations when faced by a powerful pack. The USA forwards may have been heavier than England, but had no answer to the English maul which produced three near-identical tries in ten minutes.

The US coaching team had been well aware of the threat the English pack, but had not come up with any solution. In the intervening four days, changing that will have been difficult and as a result it is highly probable that they will suffer a similar experience against New Zealand.

In addition, New Zealand’s dissection of Canada – ranked above the USA - in their final pool game should be a warning about what is to come. Up against the world’s third-ranked team the Ferns were imperious, dominant in pretty much every area of play, running in eight tries despite playing with only 14 players for a quarter of the game, during which time they out-scored Canada 10-5.

The Ferns are looking like World Champions again, but whatever happens, it has been fantastic to see the resurgance of this USA team.

They have made two changes to the squad which beat Canada 48-5 last week, bringing in Aleisha Nelson as prop cover and Lesley Ketu to back up in the loose forwards.

There is only one change in the US team - Tess Feury will replace Sylvia Braaten on the bench after Braaten was given a two-game suspension for a citation during the Eagles' pool game against England.

"I think we came out of the England game believing that we can compete with England, but disappointed with our first half," conceded Coach Pete Steinberg. "We had a good video review of the first half and we believe that if we can fix some of our errors we will be more competitive. We think our fitness and bench will help us finish the game, but we have to start better and be ready for the physicality and pace."

Tiffany Faaee again leads the team as tighthead prop.

Other players to look for include Stacey Bridges – the most experienced player in the US team - makes her fourth consecutive start in the second row alongside the pacey Alycia Washington. Backrow has Sara Parsons has arguably been standout among the non-sevens players leads and impressive backrow blindside flanker, with Jordan Gray’s ball-carrying skills at No 8 and Kate Zackary at openside.

Nine to fifteen is full of players familiar from the sevens circuit, including Deven Owsiany [commentators please check on correct pronunciation!] at 9, fly half Kimber Rozier, centres Alev Kelter and Nicole Heavirland, Naya Tapper and Kristen Thomas on the wings, and Cheta Emba, at full back. All with real pace, if they can get any space.  Kelter in particular can be a massive threat – the former ice hockey star has power, speed and strength and has had a standout tournament so far.

New Zealand - the Black Ferns - is full of such astonishing talent that it is hard to single anyone out, but Portia Woodman - the ex-netball player who turned to sevens and now fifteens - can be devastating with ball in hand, while the other three backline Ws - Winiata, Waaka and Wickliffe - can be just dangerous. Scrumhalf Kendra Cocksedge is possibly also this World Cup's most reliable kicker, but it is probably the pack lead by captain Fiao'o Faamausili that will win this game for New Zealand.

United States:1. Catie Benson ; 2. Katy Augustyn ; 3. Tiffany Faaee (C) ; 4. Stacey Bridges ; 5. Alycia Washington ; 6. Sara Parsons ; 7. Kate Zackary ; 8. Jordan Gray ; 9. Deven Owsiany ; 10. Kimber Rozier ; 11. Kristen Thomas ; 12. Alev Kelter ; 13. Nicole Heavirland ; 14. Naya Tapper ; 15. Cheta EmbaReplacements:16. Samantha Pankey ; 17. Hope Rogers ; 18. Nick James ; 19. Abby Gustaitis ; 20. Kristine Sommer ; 21. Kayla Canett-Oca ; 22. Tess Feury ; 23. Jess Wooden

New Zealand:Selica Winiata, Portia Woodman, Stace Waaka, Kelly Brazier, Renee Wickliffe, Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali, Kendra Cocksedge, Aroha Savage, Sarah Goss, Charmaine McMenamin, Charmaine Smith, Eloise Blackwell, Aldora Itunu, Fiao'o Faamausili (captain), Toko Natua.Replacements:Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, Sosoli Talawadua, Aleisha Nelson, Rebecca Wood, Lesley Ketu, Linda Itunu, Theresa Fitzpatrick, Carla Hohepa.

England v France (7.45pm)

Undoubtedly ths is the more anticipated semi-final. It is a game expected to be much tighter than the match it follows and given the form of both sides througout the competition, it is likely to be hugely entertaining.

France have dazzled throughout the competition with their blur of passing; offloading and high tempo rugby delighting their fans and rewarded by the French public with record viewing figures on national TV.

The form of Romane Menager, Julie Duval and Safi N'Diaye up front, allied with the wizardry and footwork of Shannon Izar, Elodie Poublan and Montserrat Amedee (who has been a revelation) means if France play well, England's defence will have to be at its absolute best. The loss of Menager through injury is a huge blow and France have history at World Cups and it doesn't bode well for their chances.

The patterns of 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014 all follow a trend of easy passage through the pool stages and then failure come semi-finals.

The opponents have varied -  New Zealand, Canada, Australia and England have all prevented the French from reaching the final; and their final-four demons will surely have been addressed this week in the camp.

On the upside, France will be much more confident of countering England's superb maul than the USA - and it will be fascinating to watch their tactics, given how they frustrated Ireland by simply refusing to engage at the line-out.

If there is a weakness, it may be observing how they switched off against Ireland. A more potent attacking team than Ireland would have used their possession better and France could well have been on the ropes - match fitness and mental strength will be vital this weekend over 80 minutes.

England have also been outstanding so far - save the last half hour against the USA. Simon Middleton has been able to rotate his squad well so his top players are in good shape for this clash. As concerned as England might be for shipping four tries in the late stages of the game, they may well be grateful that someone has exposes some defensive weaknesses, which they will have dealt with this week.

Katy Mclean has been England's star so far, with her outstanding field kicking and wonderful range of passing making her the player France will be most focused on shutting down. They will also have to try and deal with the rampaging running from Marlie Packer and Amy Cokayne - while, as we've mentioned, England have the best rolling maul in the tournament.

In the England team, Lydia Thompson has recovered from a knee injury to start on the wing. Prop Rochelle Clark, the team's most-capped player, will start from the bench with Vickii Cornborough given the starting loose-head shirt while Abbie Scott retains her place at lock.

England:Danielle Waterman (Bristol); Lydia Thompson (Worcester Valkyries), Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), Rachael Burford (Harlequins Ladies), Kay Wilson (Richmond); Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Natasha Hunt (Lichfield); Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins Ladies), Amy Cokayne (Lichfield), Sarah Bern (Bristol), Abbie Scott (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Alex Matthews (Richmond), Marlie Packer (Bristol), Sarah Hunter (Bristol, captain).

Replacements: 16. Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens), Rochelle Clark (Worcester Valkyries), Justine Lucas (Lichfield), Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield), Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol), La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Amber Reed (Bristol), Megan Jones (Bristol).

France:Amedee; Guiglion, Ladagnous, Poublan, Izar; Drouin, Rivoalen; Deshayes, Mignot (capt), Duval, Corson, Forlani, Mayans, Annery, N'Diaye.

Replacements:Thomas, Arricastre, Carricaburu, André, Diallo, Le Pesq, Neisen, Pelle