ENGLAND WOMEN will take on France in their second international fixture under interim boss Hege Riise.
The match will see the Lionesses play on French soil in April for the first time since reaching the semis of the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
It will also be the first game the side – ranked sixth in the world – will play overseas under Riise.
And the Norway-born head coach is likely to face a tough encounter with France, currently the third-best team in the world after the United States and Germany.
Riise, 51, said: “I am looking forward to taking the team to play France.
“We all know they are one of the best in the world, but they will also recognise we are at a high level and will give them a competitive game.
“We have to use every opportunity to learn and improve, as individuals and as a group.
“With the Canada game also, this will be a great two matches and I am very happy for the players to have this opportunity.”
England’s friendly against Corinne Diacre’s France will take place on April 4, 19 days before the Lionesses clash with Canada on April 23.
And the game, to be aired on BBC Four, will kick-off at 8:10 pm at the Stade Michel d’Ornano in Caen.
Riise’s players will be eager to pick up their second international win this year after thrashing Northern Ireland 6-0 in February.
The last duel between the sides ended in a 4-1 victory for the Lionesses at the SheBelieves Cup in 2019.
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Toni Duggan, Jodie Taylor, Jill Scott and Fran Kirby netted the goals for the team on that day.
Riise will be hoping for a repeat of that performance as well as a win against Canada who her team will play next in Stoke.
That game will be the first time England take on play Canada since losing 1-0 to Bev Priestman’s side in Manchester in 2019.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
