England go over to applaud their fans - who endured a wet night in Belfast to support their side. And they delivered.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Post update
FT: England 20-3 France
France had 84% possession for the first 10 minutes of that game and England were under severe pressure from the outset.
But their defence stood up and never really looked like leaking a try.
It wasn't a classic in terms of running rugby, but England stood up and edged out a talented French side.
The next test for their defence? The world number one side New Zealand.
'Defence won that game'
FT: England 20-3 France
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
England captain Sarah Hunter speaking to ITV:
"It's fantastic that we've come and done the job that we wanted to do. Our defence won that game. France came at us and they've given us the greatest test we've had so far in this tournament.
"We knew we had the mindset.Both defences stood up and the tackle count shows that but we had a white wall and there was no way they were getting across our try line tonight.
"One try and France would have been back in the game but we pride ourselves on our defence and Megan Jones made a fantastic tackle."
Bern's try decisive
FT: England 20-3 France
So England will have the chance to defend their crown after a hard-fought victory over France on a wet night in Belfast.
In a game full of errors, Sarah Bern came up with the crucial try for England as their forward pack handed the world champions victory.
Get Involved - #bbcrugby
FT: England 20-3 France
Ian B: Superb focus and long error free phases despite the conditions from England in second half, thoroughly deserved finalists.
Full-time
England 20-3 France
England will play New Zealand on Saturday in the World Cup final.
Converted try - Jones, con Scarratt
England 20-3 France
England have done it.
It was Meg Jones' try-saving tackle which denied Julie Annery on 68 minutes and she's sent England through to the final.
Emily Scarratt puts the icing on the cake.
Post update
England 13-3 France
England win it safely and it's given to captain Sarah Hunter to carry it up the middle.
France are defending ferociously and they force another knock-on, this time it's Hunter.
We're into the final minute and England pop up with the ball at the scrum.
What can France do in the final 30 seconds?
Kay Wilson almost plucks an intercept out of the night sky but she can't keep hold of the ball.
Post update
England 13-3 France
England are edging towards the World Cup final and they're continuing to play with ambition.
Lydia Thompson is away down the right but they won't be rushing this.
The ball comes loose in the tackle but it's an England scrum!
Two minutes to play.
Post update
England 13-3 France
England on the front foot again as they go in search of the killer blow.
But it's stolen by the French and that's great running by the substitute scrum-half Jade Le Pesq before she's hammered into touch by the cover tackle.
England are awarded a penalty as France fail to roll away.
Five minutes to play and they're in the French half.
Post update
England 13-3 France
And to mark the final 10 minutes of the match, we get another unforced error.
Safi N'Diaye with the knock-on this time for France.
It's clearly still wet out there.
Post update
England 13-3 France
It's a good start for the new front three as they win the penalty at the scrum and Vicky Fleetwood has success with her first line-out throw too.
But as the referee screams use the ball, England obstruct in the transfer of the ball and France have the ball back.
We're into the last 10 minutes...
Post update
England 13-3 France
England survive the French onslaught once again as their entire front row leave the field.
On come Vicky Fleetwood, Rochelle Clark and Justine Lucas.
Live Reporting
Louise Gwilliam
All times stated are UK
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Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
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BBCCopyright: BBC 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Latest PostOnto the final...
FT: England 20-3 France
That's it from me.
We're back on Saturday from 19:00 BST with live text and radio commentary as England take on New Zealand in the World Cup final.
See you then!
Home nations round-up
In the day's other games...
Canada hammered Wales to ensure they will face Australia for fifth place.
Ireland, who earlier lost to Australia, await Wales on Saturday with seventh place on the line.
Japan also lost to Italy and Hong Kong were beaten by Spain in the ninth-place semi-finals.
Post update
FT: England 20-3 France
And add Mike Brown to that...
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Get Involved
#bbcrugby
I think Chris is as excited as Sarah Hunter...
Chris Adams: Yes! Yes! Yes! Get in! Well done England! Great effort all round. Bring on the Kiwis! #SendHerVictorious#RedRoses
England into final
Right, so New Zealand beat USA and England saw off France in a nail-biting second semi to make the World Cup final.
If you missed any of that, or couldn't join me for the double-header, have a read of James Standley's report here.
It will explain all.
Recap: New Zealand beat USA
New Zealand 45-12 USA
New Zealand scored seven tries in the first semi-final to hammer USA after a close opening half.
Portia Woodman - a former netball player - bagged four of them as she was unstoppable on the wing.
A tough test awaits England in the final on Saturday.
Full-time verdict
FT: England 20-3 France
Post update
FT: England 20-3 France
England go over to applaud their fans - who endured a wet night in Belfast to support their side. And they delivered.
Post update
FT: England 20-3 France
France had 84% possession for the first 10 minutes of that game and England were under severe pressure from the outset.
But their defence stood up and never really looked like leaking a try.
It wasn't a classic in terms of running rugby, but England stood up and edged out a talented French side.
The next test for their defence? The world number one side New Zealand.
'Defence won that game'
FT: England 20-3 France
England captain Sarah Hunter speaking to ITV:
"It's fantastic that we've come and done the job that we wanted to do. Our defence won that game. France came at us and they've given us the greatest test we've had so far in this tournament.
"We knew we had the mindset.Both defences stood up and the tackle count shows that but we had a white wall and there was no way they were getting across our try line tonight.
"One try and France would have been back in the game but we pride ourselves on our defence and Megan Jones made a fantastic tackle."
Bern's try decisive
FT: England 20-3 France
So England will have the chance to defend their crown after a hard-fought victory over France on a wet night in Belfast.
In a game full of errors, Sarah Bern came up with the crucial try for England as their forward pack handed the world champions victory.
Get Involved - #bbcrugby
FT: England 20-3 France
Ian B: Superb focus and long error free phases despite the conditions from England in second half, thoroughly deserved finalists.
Full-time
England 20-3 France
England will play New Zealand on Saturday in the World Cup final.
Converted try - Jones, con Scarratt
England 20-3 France
England have done it.
It was Meg Jones' try-saving tackle which denied Julie Annery on 68 minutes and she's sent England through to the final.
Emily Scarratt puts the icing on the cake.
Post update
England 13-3 France
England win it safely and it's given to captain Sarah Hunter to carry it up the middle.
France are defending ferociously and they force another knock-on, this time it's Hunter.
We're into the final minute and England pop up with the ball at the scrum.
What can France do in the final 30 seconds?
Kay Wilson almost plucks an intercept out of the night sky but she can't keep hold of the ball.
Post update
England 13-3 France
England are edging towards the World Cup final and they're continuing to play with ambition.
Lydia Thompson is away down the right but they won't be rushing this.
The ball comes loose in the tackle but it's an England scrum!
Two minutes to play.
Post update
England 13-3 France
England on the front foot again as they go in search of the killer blow.
But it's stolen by the French and that's great running by the substitute scrum-half Jade Le Pesq before she's hammered into touch by the cover tackle.
England are awarded a penalty as France fail to roll away.
Five minutes to play and they're in the French half.
Post update
England 13-3 France
And to mark the final 10 minutes of the match, we get another unforced error.
Safi N'Diaye with the knock-on this time for France.
It's clearly still wet out there.
Post update
England 13-3 France
It's a good start for the new front three as they win the penalty at the scrum and Vicky Fleetwood has success with her first line-out throw too.
But as the referee screams use the ball, England obstruct in the transfer of the ball and France have the ball back.
We're into the last 10 minutes...
Post update
England 13-3 France
England survive the French onslaught once again as their entire front row leave the field.
On come Vicky Fleetwood, Rochelle Clark and Justine Lucas.
Their first task? A scrum.