France have never won a major trophy but they have an impressive group-stage record, progressing in each of their past eight major tournament appearances.
And Laurent Bonadei’s team have form on their side. They are on an eight-game winning run and have only conceded two goals since February while they last tasted defeat in December – to world champions Spain.
England full-back Lucy Bronze says Saturday’s opening match between the sides is not to be missed.
“Both teams are full of exciting attacking talent and I think it’s the game everyone is going to be watching because it’s surely the most exciting group game coming into a Euros,” right-back Bronze said.
Les Bleues left-back Selma Bacha also said she is “very happy” to play England first, adding: “That’s going to put us straight into the thick of things for the Euros.”
However, this will be the first time since 2005 that France have been at a Euros or World Cup without both Wendie Renard and all-time leading scorer Eugenie le Sommer, who were controversially left out of Bonadei’s side.
“The experience and the amount of caps that Renard and Le Sommer have is absolutely huge,” said former England forward Ellen White.
“To have that completely wiped from your squad is a really interesting dynamic to go into this tournament.”
Former Scotland defender Jen Beattie said: “They’ve obviously seen something and made a big decision, and they were also quoted saying ‘insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results’.”
