Defender Alex Scott wants England to put on a good performance in Paris on Saturday

France v England
A Women’s International
7.50pm BST, Saturday 20 October 2012
Charlety Stadium, Paris
Live on BBC Three

by Glenn Lavery

Alex Scott has issued a rallying cry ahead of England’s game against France on Saturday.

There are no points at stake but the defender wants the Three Lions to put on a show against a side ranked fifth in the world.

The French knocked England out of the 2011 World Cup and also beat them in the Cyprus Cup in March.

Bruno Bini’s charges finished fourth at London 2012 and they are now being recognised as an emerging nation in women’s football.

But Scott believes England are more than capable of achieving a positive result in Paris, just over a month after securing qualification to Euro 2013.

She said: “Even though it’s a no pressure game and the result shouldn’t really matter, it matters to us as players.

“We’ve got a bit of recent history with them, but it’s not about revenge, it’s about putting on a performance.

“We want to prove that we are good enough to compete against teams like France and that should stand us in good stead going into the Euros next year.

“Everyone is talking about how France are an up and coming team, but we shouldn’t be underestimated.

“We are still a force in the women’s game and we can go to the Euros and really do something.”

Squad in full

Goalkeepers
Karen Bardsley (Linköping), Rachel Brown (Everton), Siobhan Chamberlain (Bristol Academy)
Defenders
Laura Bassett (Birmingham City), Sophie Bradley (Lincoln Ladies), Steph Houghton (Arsenal), Alex Scott (Arsenal), Casey Stoney (Lincoln Ladies), Dunia Susi (Chelsea).
Midfielders
Anita Asante (Göteborg), Jess Clarke (Lincoln Ladies), Karen Carney (Birmingham City), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Jill Scott (Everton), Fara Williams (Everton), Rachel Yankey (Arsenal).
Forwards
Eniola Aluko (Birmingham City), Toni Duggan (Everton), Kelly Smith (Arsenal), Rachel Williams (Birmingham City), Ellen White (Arsenal).

* Claire Rafferty (Chelsea) withdrawn from squad due to knee injury