London (AFP) - Ellie Kildunne and Hannah Botterman are back in England’s starting line-up for the Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against France in a major boost for the tournament favourites.

World player of the Kildunne has been picked at full-back for Saturday’s match in Bristol after missing last week’s quarter-final victory against Scotland with concussion.

The pack has been bolstered by the return of Botterman after the loosehead prop suffered a back spasm. Helena Rowland and Kelsey Clifford drop to the bench.

England coach John Mitchell has made two further changes to his starting XV, with fly-half Zoe Harrison and second row Abbie Ward promoted after coming on as replacements in the quarter-final.

Wing Jess Breach and centre Megan Jones in the backline are the only England players to have started every game.

France will be without co-captain Manae Feleu and flanker Axelle Berthoumieu. The pair were banned for the rest of the tournament for foul play in their 18-13 quarter-final win against Ireland.

Hina Ikahehegi comes in for Feleu at lock, with Charlotte Escudero moving from No 8 to blindside flanker to replace Berthoumieu, banned for biting Ireland’s Aoife Wafer.

Teani Feleu, Manae’s sister, moves up from the bench to start at No 8.

There are four personnel changes in all to the France side that beat Ireland, with Carla Arbez taking over at fly-half from Linda Queyroi, ruled out with concussion.

In thebacks, France captain Marine Menager moves from outside centre to left wing in place of Kelly Arbey, who drops to the bench.

England crushed France 40-6 in a World Cup warm-up match in Mont-de-Marsan last month and have won the past 16 meetings but Mitchell warned the French would be dangerous.

“France have faced challenges and that will drive them –- we expect it,” he said.

“We don’t need to be perfect, just effective, focused and ready for the fight. We’re excited and ready to hunt them.”

Defending champions New Zealand face second-ranked Canada in the first semi-final on Friday, also being held in Bristol.

England, the top-ranked side in the world, have lost five of the past six World Cup finals to New Zealand.

Teams (15-1)

England

Ellie Kildunne; Abby Dow, Megan Jones, Tatyana Heard, Jess Breach; Zoe Harrison, Natasha Hunt; Alex Matthews, Sadia Kabeya, Zoe Aldcroft (capt); Abbie Ward, Morwenna Talling; Maud Muir, Amy Cokayne, Hannah Botterman

Replacements: Lark Atkin-Davies, Kelsey Clifford, Sarah Bern, Rosie Galligan, Maddie Feaunati, Lucy Packer, Holly Aitchison, Helena Rowland

Coach: John Mitchell (NZL)

France

Morgane Bourgeois; Joanna Grisez, Nassira Konde, Gabrielle Vernier, Marine Menager (capt); Carla Arbez, Pauline Bourdon Sanus; Teani Feleu, Lea Champon, Charlotte Escudero; Hina Ikahehegi, Madoussou Fall Raclot; Rose Bernadou, Agathe Gerin, Yllana Brosseau

Replacements: Elisa Riffonneau, Annaelle Deshaye, Assia Khalfaoui, Taina Maka, Seraphine Okemba, Alexandra Chambon, Lina Tuy, Kelly Arbey

Coaches: Gaelle Mignot (FRA), David Ortiz (ESP)