The 2014 winners triumphed 20-3 thanks to an assured second-half display that saw them score 17 points without reply.

The first-half ended 3-3 after France’s Shannon Izar cancelled out Emily Scarratt's penalty.

But England stepped up their game after the restart and Scarratt put them back into the lead with her second penalty in the 52nd minute. 

Player of the match Sarah Bern then moved the holders clear with a 61st-minute try and the victory was sealed in the dying moments when Megan Jones went over.

Scarratt converted both tries in what was an impressive all-round performance from the goal-kicker.

The only blemish was a missed penalty shortly before England's first try but it did not matter in the end. 

"It's fantastic that we've come and done the job that we wanted to do," England captain Sarah Hunter told ITV.

"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."

New Zealand beat the United States 45-12 in today’s first semi-final, which was held at the same venue.

The four-time champions were helped considerably by four tries from Portia Woodman, while Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali, Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate and Kelly Brazier also went over the line.

Kendra Cocksedge was on hand to register two conversions and two penalties.

The US produced a strong performance in the first-half, which ended with them trailing by just eight points at 15-7.

But New Zealand’s pedigree told in the second-half as they raced away to victory.

Alev Kelter and Kris Thomas were the US’s try scorers with the former also adding a conversion.

The final is scheduled to be played at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday (August 26).

It will be preceded by the third-place play-off between France and the US as well as the other play-off matches.

Canada and Australia will contest the fifth-place play-off after both nations won their matches today.

The Canadians beat Wales 52-0 after the Aussies had defeated Ireland 36-24.

In the ninth-place play-off semi-finals, Italy overcame Japan 22-0 and Spain beat Hong Kong 31-7.

Ireland and Wales will meet in the seventh-place play-off, while Japan and Hong Kong will do battle in the 11th-place play-off.