England to face France in third‑place playoff after Argentina loss

England will meet France in the Rugby World Cup third‑place playoff on Saturday, following a dramatic 27‑26 semifinal loss to Argentina that saw the English side concede a late try after leading for most of the match. The encounter, scheduled for 19:00 GMT at the Stade de France in Saint‑Denis, offers England a chance to finish the tournament on a higher note after the disappointment of being edged out in the final minutes of the semi.

France, who secured their spot by defeating New Zealand 28‑27 in a similarly tight semifinal, will look to cap a strong campaign with a podium finish. Both teams arrive with a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talent, and the match will provide a final test of resilience and tactical execution before the tournament concludes on Sunday. A win for either side will secure the bronze medal and end the competition on a positive trajectory for the respective squads.