Good evening and welcome to LIVE text commentary of England's opening Group F game at the Women's World Cup in Canada. The Lionesses get their campaign up and running against a strong France side on the much-maligned artificial pitch at The Moncton Stadium. Remember, this tournament is a grass free zone! Kick off 6pm BST.

Incidentally, Tonight's referee is Thalia Mitsi from Greece.

A woeful touch from Ellen White presents the French with a shooting chance but she recovers to get a block in and concede a corner.

The wind has really picked up inside the stadium. Not ideal conditions.

A bright start from England. Eniola Aluko curves a left-wing corner in towards the near post but again it's a French head that meets it.

Fara Williams hoists a free kick from just inside the France half on the left into the area, but it's easily defended.

England enjoyed a fine qualifying campaign, conceding just one goal, but have had an inauspicious build-up to this tournament after losing friendlies with Germany, the US and Canada.

KICK OFF! France gets us underway.

WHO QUALIFIES? The top two teams, along with the four best third-placed teams from the six groups, progress to the quarter-finals. France deserve their tag as group favourites and have some pedigree after finishing fourth in 2011.

FRENCH FACT: France coach Philippe Bergeroo was on the coaching staff when France won the 1998 men's World Cup.

FRENCH WOES: England were beaten by France at Euro 2013 and at the 2011 World Cup where Les Bleus triumphed on penalties. In fact, the Lionesses have not beaten the French since 1974, but Sampson has his sights set on tournament success. He said: "France are probably ahead of us at the minute, the world rankings don't lie. When we are at our best we are at their level and we can win this match, but we haven't done it enough. It's going to be a tough game, isn't it? We're playing many people's tournament favourites, we're playing against some huge individual talents. Now, more than they've ever had, France have got a real collective ethic as well. It's going to be a huge challenge for us, but we'll do what we always do: we'll focus on ourselves, and make sure we pick a team that can deal with France and give them as many problems as possible."

GROUP F breakdown. France are the favourites to top the pool and are ranked third in the world. England are sixth with Mexico 25th and Colombia 28th. The Lionesses will follow up tonight's game by facing Colombia on June 13 in Moncton before finishing against the Colombians on June 17 in Montreal.

Coach Mark Sampson has opted for a 4-5-1 system with defender, Lucy Bronze deployed on the left side of midfield in an attempt to nullify the threat of France's explosive right winger, Elodie Thomis. Eni Aluko starts up front. Meanwhile, Gaetane Thiney is preferred to Marie Laure Delie in France's attack.

TEAMS - ENGLAND: Bardsley, Scott, Rafferty, Williams, Houghton, Bassett, Scott, Aluko, Bronze, Chapman, White. /// FRANCE: Bouhaddi, Renard, Boulleau, Georges, Henry, Houara, Le Sommer, Abily, Thomis, Necib, Thiney.