Here is Sarah Rendell’s match report from a blustery Ashton Gate, where England won their 31st game in a row. Two more to go. Thanks for joining me, enjoy your evenings.
France will be England’s semi-final opponents, but only after Ireland gave them an almighty scare earlier today:
Some words from Bryan Easson on his final game as Scotland head coach. “We did what we wanted to do, reaching the knockout stages. This shouldn’t be the end, it should be the start of something. This has to be a stepping stone.”
On the contract issue: “Everybody deserves something. This squad has been together since 2 June, their professionalism and talent is clear to see … World Cup quarter-finals, that’s the kind of thing you want to achieve to keep the team moving forward.”
Rachel Malcolm: “Immensely disappointed with the result today, but happy overall with how the tournament has gone. It’s been a real squad performance – every player with a thistle on her chest has performed. We’re going to miss Bryan [Easson] tremendously, he’s done a brilliant job of bringing this group together.”
Does the captain have a message for Scottish Rugby? “I think just to listen, we know this game better than anyone … we all want to move Scotland forward and try to compete with the likes of England.” A reminder that only 15 players are staying on central contracts after this World Cup, a ridiculous backward step for a developing team.
So, the semi-final line-up is complete, with both games here in Bristol next week.
New Zealand v Canada Friday (7pm BST)
France v England Saturday (3.30pm BST)
Here’s the player of the match, Morwenna Talling. “We put our best foot forward and I think the pack did a great job … the weather wasn’t the best. It’s always massive, that’s what this tournament is all about, play your best rugby and always put on a performance. We’re feeling very confident heading into the semi-finals.”
And the captain, Zoe Aldcroft: “Can’t beat being back on the pitch with the girls today. It’s been a joy to watch them as well, though. We kept in the fight [today] and kept pressure on Scotland. We’re excited for the next week and preparing for France.”
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Full time: England 40-8 Scotland
England march on, running in six tries without hitting their fluent best on a wet and windy afternoon. Kelsey Clifford scored twice in a fierce display of the hosts’ forward power; Scotland fought from start to finish but were outmatched; they can still reflect on an impressive campaign, given their off-field issues – and it ended with an emotional try for Rhona Lloyd.
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TRY! England 40-8 Scotland (Lloyd 80')
Lloyd spins past Breach, lunges and gets over the line. What a moment for her – and the tears are flowing before Nelson lines up the conversion. It’s missed, denying Scotland double digits, but Scotland’s campaign ends on a hugely positive note.
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80 mins: Scotland get the ball from the scrum, keeping the game alive, and McGhie bolts away downfield! She’s held up by Dow but Stewart keeps them moving forward. Rhona Lloyd waits out wide and gathers at the second attempt …
79 mins: Abby Dow is denied a late second try, a fine tackle from the tireless Nelson causing the ball to bobble loose.
78 mins: Time ticking away now as Morwenna Talling is named player of the match, while a few soggy patrons head for the exits.
76 mins: Scotland’s hopes of a morale-boosting score are ended, for now, by a collapsed scrum.
74 mins: Eva Donaldson and Alex Stewart are on for Wassell and Malcolm, as Bryan Easson makes what will be the final changes of his Scotland tenure.
73 mins: Another lineout chance slips away for Scotland but they regain possession and get a penalty. Nelson opts to go for the corner, seeing little value in a tricky three-point kick.
71 mins: The attendance is announced – a sellout crowd of 25,295.
70 mins: Scotland have a lineout, but England gather the tipped ball, which also takes a deflection off the referee. England penalised for offside though, and Scotland can push for a consolation try.
69 mins: Emma Sing replaces Jones as the teams prepare for another scrum. In a rare moment of relief for the Scottish pack, England’s Carson is penalised for a collapse.
67 mins: It’s been a long afternoon for the Scotland defence, and they’re tested again as Mattison’s clearing kick is charged down. England lead the territory battle 60-40, but it’s 72-28 in the last 10 minutes – and 97% possession for the hosts.
TRY! England 40-3 Scotland (Aitchison 64')
A sixth try for England, with 20 minutes of Scottish resistance finally ended. It’s a deserved score for Holly Aitchison, set up by replacement Zoe Harrison’s crafty reverse pass. Aitchison adds the conversion.
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63 mins: Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm complains to the referee about the deluge of scrum penalties, but Groizeleau isn’t interested. A couple more Scotland changes, with Brebner-Holden and Rollie replaced by Caity Mattinson and Evie Wills.
62 mins: Aitchison almost tees up Dow again with a lofted diagonal ball – but she can’t claim it, under pressure from Fran McGhie.
61 mins: Abbie Ward, Maddie Feaunati, Lucy Packer and Zoe Harrison are on for England, replacing Talling, Aldcroft, Hunt and Heard.
60 mins: More scrum pain for Scotland, their fifth penalty of the game. Leah Bartlett and Lana Skeldon are heading off, replaced by Elis Martin and Molly Wright. Changes coming for England too …
59 mins: A break in play as Bonar is checked over after a blow to the head. Here’s an enlightening stat: England lead on carries by just 82 to 71, but they’ve carried for 614 metres compared to Scotland’s 290m.
58 mins: From another England lineout deep in opposition territory, Atkin-Davies offloads to Zoe Aldcroft, but Scotland hold firm at the line and earn a penalty.
56 mins: England push forward again in waves before Aitchison applies a silky touch, chipping the ball invitingly over the try line. Meg Jones looks to get her hand to it, and the try is initially given – but replays show that Orr made a heroic dive to touch the ball down first and save Scotland from conceding again.
54 mins: Cokayne and Muir are replaced by Lark Atkin-Davies and Sarah Bern, as England restock that formidable front row.
52 mins: Ellie Kildunne, not in the 23 today because of concussion protocols, is banging a drum on the England bench. That’s not a metaphor.
50 mins: A deft chip from Nelson is gathered on the bounce by Lisa Thomson, but Nelson then spills the ball as Scotland try to build up attacking momentum. There’s an England knock-on, though, so Scotland will put in at a scrum.
49 mins: Scotland charge down a clearing kick to set up a spell of attacking pressure, but the white wall holds steady and Abby Dow is able to clear upfield. With Dow and Kabeya advancing, Emma Orr does well to collect and kick downfield, but Aitchison delivers another pinpoint kick to touch.
47 mins: Jade Konkel is taken off, marking the end of what will surely be her final international game. It’s an emotional moment for her, as she gets a deserved ovation from the crowd. Christine Belisle also heads off, with Molly Poolman and Rachel McLachlan coming off the bench.
TRY! England 33-3 Scotland (Cokayne 45')
It feels inevitable once England gather the lineout, and Amy Cokayne is waiting behind the maul to collect and dot the ball down. It’s her second score, England’s fifth in total, and Aitchison adds the conversion.
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44 mins: England roll forward and try to quite literally walk the ball in, but Matthews can’t gather it in. There’s a knock-on, and England restart with a lineout. Clifford is going off for an assessment, possibly for a head injury – Mackenzie Carson is on to replace her.
43 mins: An England put-in at the scrum and the Scottish pack folds. Penalty for the hosts, but they’ll put in again, keeping Scotland under constant pressure.
42 mins: An exchange of kicks is brought to an end by Abby Dow, who collects a high ball over her head, returns it to Thomson – and somehow gets downfield to charge it down! Dow looks poised to scramble in for a second try but Scotland get numbers back.
Second half
We’re back under way, England resuming with a 26-3 lead.
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Half time: England 26-3 Scotland
Aitchinson kicks her third conversion out of four, and England head down the tunnel with one foot (at least) in the semi-finals, with three tries scored through sheer forward power and relentless pressure on Scotland’s set pieces.
TRY! England 24-3 Scotland (Clifford 39')
England swing the ball out to the left, where it scoots across the turf and is collected by Jess Breach. She combines with Jones before England turn infield and Kelsey Clifford charges over the line. A fourth try to end a dominant half.
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38 mins: The soap bar ball causes a double knock-on, and we restart with a scrum 10 metres out. Scotland will put in, but Kabeya springs from the pack to force a turnover …
36 mins: The lineout is overthrown, but England get a penalty and set up another push for the line with the rain falling relentlessly.
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35 mins: Wassell tips the ball back as Scotland earn a welcome lineout win – but as they try to advance down the right, the ball pops loose and Dow punishes the error, kicking into the corner. She then tries a quick throw to Aitchison, but the referee calls play back for a lineout.
33 mins: Aitchison has been excellent in a tricky game for fly-halves, and recovers the ball to keep England moving after Breach lets a high ball through her fingers.
TRY! England 19-3 Scotland (Dow 31')
England’s forwards rumble forward, Cokayne and then Talling held up at the line – but Scotland have everybody packed in centre-field and Aitchison loops a pass out to Abby Dow, unmarked on the right. Clinically done, although Aitchison misses the extras.
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30 mins: England penalty, awarded for a high tackle on the advancing Rowland by wing Rhona Lloyd. They won’t be going for the posts, sensing that a third try is imminent …
29 mins: Jess Breach tries to kick and chase down the left flank, but McGhie is able to deal with the loose ball. The clearance is collected by Rowland on halfway, and it’s been a while since Scotland got out of their own half …
28 mins: Rain and wind swirling again, but Helen Nelson helps Scotland release a bit of pressure with an accurate kick to touch from deep in her own territory.
No try! Handling errors in these slippery conditions are stalling England attacks, so they go for a lineout and more forward power. Amy Cokayne barrels over the line here, but the try is ruled out for an obstruction, after consultation with the TMO.
24 mins: The referee, Aurelie Groizeleau, has a word with Leah Bartlett and Maud Muir, who fix each other with steely glares. The Scottish scrum folds again, though, and England get a free kick. The ball is knocked on with the line in sight, but England will take a penalty, kicked into the corner.
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23 mins: England lock in and send the Scottish pack into reverse gear, claiming the ball and launching a quick break. A handling error stalls the move but it’s another Scotland put-in – this time in the shadow of their own posts.
22 mins: We go again with another scrum, but not before plenty of disagreement between both front rows and the referee over their starting marks.
21 mins: A brief pause as Talling has tape applied to her hand. Scotland have actually edged possession in the first quarter, but need a score to make England at all nervous.
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20 mins: A first scrum, with Scotland putting in and winning the ball through Brebner-Holden, whose kick-through has Natasha Hunt under pressure. She can’t afford a mistake behind the posts, but tidies up effectively.
19 mins: A big cheer as Ilona Maher appears on the big screen, and downs a couple of drinks to get the fans going. Mary Earps is also watching on from the VIP seats.
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17 mins: Scotland have to clean up their set pieces in these challenging conditions, and they win the next lineout at the halfway line. Can they make any inroads? Helen Nelson is well marked and Lloyd’s kick-through is collected by Aitchison.
TRY! England 14-3 Scotland (Talling 15')
Galligan’s anticipation has Scotland firmly on the back foot, and she offloads to lock Morwenna Talling, who won’t be stopped from crashing over. Aitchison converts, and England are in control after a shaky start.
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14 mins: Scotland have lost three lineouts so far and will be under more pressure here, as Aitchison finds the corner with a crafty kick. It’s not taken cleanly and Rosie Galligan pounces on the loose ball …
TRY! England 7-3 Scotland (Clifford try 12')
This is where England are so hard to resist, and Maud Muir simply goes through a Scottish tackle before setting up fellow prop Kelsey Clifford, who finds a gap between three navy shirts to touch down under the posts. Aitchison converts.
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10 mins: Safer hands help England carry the ball into the Scottish 22, Jones bursting through a gap as the hosts set up their forwards to carry …
9 mins: Sarah Bonar forces a penalty in midfield, with England’s Aitchison penalised for not releasing. The wet ball is causing some issues, with England spilling it before Meg Jones heaves it downfield.
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7 mins: We’re back under way and Aitchison – back on familiar turf in Bristol – tries a floating, diagonal kick towards Dow – but it’s just overcooked and drifts a metre into touch.
6 mins: Abby Dow is heaved into touch, and there’s a pause in play as Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm receives treatment for a facial injury.
5 mins: Scotland must beware an immediate response from England, and Chloe Rollie invites pressure by not calling a mark under the high ball. Can they clear their lines? Nelson clears but it’s straight into Jess Breach’s path …
England 0-3 Scotland (Nelson pen 4’)
The fly-half slots it over from close range, and Scotland get the first points on the board.
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3 mins: Scotland have backs lined up on the right but Fran McGhie can’t get the ball away and knocks on. They come back for the penalty, which Helen Nelson will kick …
2 mins: Skeldon’s lineout is claimed by Emma Wassell, and Evie Gallagher breaks the line with a jinking sidestep. Scotland within five metres, and they have a penalty advantage …
Kick-off
Scotland kick off and move upfield, forcing Rowland to kick for touch close to her own try-line. The pre-match rain has eased a little.
Both teams head out on the field to a raucous reception at Ashton Gate. Time for both national anthems, and then it’s game time.
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John Mitchell: “We’re excited, knockout rugby is what you work towards for the whole cycle. We’ve got to earn another week in this tournament. The conditions will play a factor, territory and building pressure through the set-piece will be key. Helena [Rowland]’s got a job to do at full-back, Hollie [Aitchinson] will start on the kicking tee, but we’ve got plenty of kickers if we go to extra-time or anything like that.”
More on Sunday’s early quarter-final, as France fought back to break Ireland’s hearts, rallying from 13-0 down at the break to win 18-13 in Exeter.
Also worth noting that Scotland have progressed to the quarter-finals despite an ongoing pay dispute, which could see half the squad without central contracts after this tournament.
If you’re passing by the London Eye in the next couple of weeks, it’s worth stopping at this rugby-themed art installation. The Trail of Roses features a flower for every England player to earn a cap for the women’s team, and is in place until 28 September.
Pre-game thoughts from Bryan Easson, who is departing as Scotland coach after this tournament. “We’re in a good place, training has been good, and eight days since the Canada game which is a good turnaround. The weather might help us, we’ve got a forward pack who will want to get stuck in.
“[England] are formidable, world No 1s, but we want to leave it all out there. It’s a World Cup quarter-final.” How is he feeling on his potential swansong? “It’s not about me, it never has been. It’s about the players out there today. There will probably be a bit of emotion today, win, lose or draw.”
Scotland, beaten 59-7 by England in their last meeting at the Six Nations, make two changes from the team that lost to Canada. Jade Konkel returns at No 8 in what could be her final international appearance, while Christine Belisle starts in the front row. Having retired before the tournament, the prop was called into the squad after Elliann Clarke suffered an injury.
England captain Zoe Aldcroft is back in the starting XV for the first time since the tournament opener against the USA. Holly Aitchinson replaces Zoe Harrison at fly-half, with Helena Rowland slotting in at full-back with Ellie Kildunne ruled out due to concussion. Another potentially big miss for the hosts is prop Hannah Botterman, who suffered back spasms against Australia and is replaced by Kelsey Clifford.
Pre-game reading:
Full time: France 18-13 Ireland
France survive an almighty scare in Exeter! Down to 14 players, they had to fend off a late Irish maul and lineout to scramble into the semi-finals. It’s a devastating near-miss for the underdogs, who didn’t even qualify for the last tournament but left everything out there in pursuit of a famous upset.
Team news
England: Rowland, Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach, Aitchison, Hunt; Clifford, Cokayne, Muir, Talling, Gallingan, Aldcroft (c), Kabeya, Matthews.
Replacements: Atkin-Davies, Carson, Bern, Ward, Feaunati, Packer, Harrison, Sing.
Scotland: Rollie, Lloyd, Orr, Thomson, McGhie, Nelson, Brebner-Holden; Bartlett, Skeldon, Belisle, Wassell, Bonar, Malcolm (c), Gallagher, Konkel.
Replacements: Martin, Wright, Poolman, Donaldson, McLachlan, Stewart, Mattinson, Wills.
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Preamble
As the hosts and favourites for this World Cup, England have had to tread a careful path through the tournament. John Mitchell and his players know anything other than their name on the trophy is a failure, but need to slowly build up steam on the five-week journey to their required destination.
So far, the Red Roses have stuck to their task well, save for a brief early wobble against Australia. They topped Group A with three wins and 208 points scored, setting up this derby date against Scotland. Huge underdogs in Bristol today, Scotland haven’t beaten their neighbours since 1999 – but Ireland’s efforts against France will give them hope.
France have fought back from 13-0 down to lead 15-13, a reminder that nothing comes easy at a World Cup. If they can hold on, they’ll face today’s winners in the semi-finals. Just as in that game at Exeter, wet and windy weather could be a leveller at Ashton Gate. England’s expectations remain sky-high, but there is another job to do first.
