England Women to host France in Doncaster in October

Monday 19 Sep 2016
England will host France in Doncaster on Friday 21 October

England Women will take on France in October in an international match which will mark the start of their Euro 2017 preparations.

The Lionesses will play France, third in the FIFA world rankings, at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster on Friday 21 October (8pm KO).

Tickets will go on sale at midday on Tuesday 20 September priced £7.50 for adults and £3.50 for concessions. A family ticket (two adults and two children) is available at £15 and group booking and Charter Standard discounts apply.

Tickets can be bought from the Doncaster Rovers website.

England v France

A Women's International
8pm, Friday 21 October
Keepmoat Stadium
Tickets priced £7.50 adults, £3.50 concessions

The sides last faced each other in March in a closely-fought 0-0 draw at the SheBelieves Cup.

England sealed qualification for next summer’s tournament, which will take place in Netherlands, with a 7-0 win over Serbia in June.

They will finish their qualification campaign against Belgium in Leuven on Tuesday (6pm BST KO) where a draw will allow them top Group 7. The match will be live on the BBC Red Button and website.

England head coach Mark Sampson said: “We want to focus on playing European opposition between now and next summer’s Euros. There are some excellent nations who will be at the tournament and the more experience we can have playing them the better prepared we’ll be.

“We’re pleased that France have agreed to come over and play us. We haven’t beaten them for a long time so we’re looking to change that.

“They are the third best team in the world so it is a great test for us and if we’re going to do well at the Euros we’ll have to beat teams like France on the way.

“Although it’s a friendly we’ll be approaching this game in a very competitive way as part of our tournament preparations."

He added: “We’re looking forward to playing at Doncaster. The club has such a big women’s football history and the Keepmoat is a great stadium so it will hopefully make for a great game.”

Gavin Baldwin, chief executive of Club Doncaster, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mark Sampson and the England Women’s team to the Keepmoat Stadium as they take on France in what should be a fantastic game.

“Our area has a long association with the women’s game, with the Belles side one of the most iconic names since their formation in 1969. I am delighted that we can build on that by hosting this game and hope we get a good crowd to support the Lionesses.”

The Euro 2017 finals draw will take place in Rotterdam on Tuesday 8 November.

By FA Staff