Tournament favourites England have stormed through the Women’s Rugby World Cup pool stage, and now take on the Auld Enemy as the knockout stages begin.
Three flawless victories, over the United States, Samoa and Australia, only served to further cement the Red Roses’ trophy credentials
Now it’s time to face a more familiar foe in the quarter-finals as Scotland plot a first victory over those south of the border this century.
Bryan Easson’s side saw off Wales and Fiji to secure their last-eight spot, though defeat to Canada - third-favourites to win the tournament - was the best yardstick of their progress.
England vs Scotland date, kick-off time and venue
England vs Scotland takes place today on Sunday, September 14, 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 6pm BST.
The match will be played at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate stadium.
How to watch England vs Scotland
TV channel: Viewers in the UK can watch this game for free on BBC One. Coverage starts at 3.30pm ahead of a 4pm kick off.
Live stream: UK subscribers can stream the game on BBC iPlayer or the BBC Sport website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert insight and analysis from Arthur Ferridge.
England vs Scotland team news
England have a blend of positive and negative team news coming into this match. Most concerningly, they will be without Ellie Kildunne, the talisman full-back who has been sidelined with a head injury sustained against Australia. She will hope to return for the semi-final, provided England qualify.
But the Red Roses have been boosted by the return of Zoe Aldcroft, the team captain who missed the Samoa and Australia matches through injury.
Kelsey Clifford comes in to start after scoring a brace off the bench last time out, while Holly Aitchison also makes her first start of the tournament.
Jade Konkel returns to the Scotland squad at No8 in what will be her first start of the tournament.
Elliann Clarke and Lisa Cockburn have been ruled out by a knee injury and concussion, respectively, leaving Christine Belisle to stand in at tighthead.
Rachel Malcolm makes a record 53rd appearance as Scotland’s captain.
England vs Australia lineups
England XV: H Rowland (Loughborough Lightning); A Dow (Unattached), M Jones (Trailfinders Women), T Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury), J Breach (Saracens); H Aitchison (Sale Sharks), N Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury); K Clifford (Saracens), A Cokayne (Sale Sharks), M Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury), M Talling (Sale Sharks), R Galligan (Saracens), Z Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, capt), S Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning), A Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury).
Replacements: L Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears), M Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury), S Bern (Bristol Bears), A Ward (Bristol Bears), M Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs), L Packer (Harlequins), Z Harrison (Saracens), E Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury).
Scotland XV: C Rollie (Trailfinders), R Lloyd (Sale Sharks), E Orr (Bristol Bears), L Thomson (Trailfinders), F McGhie (Trailfinders), H Nelson (Loughborough Lightning), L Brebner-Holden (Gloucester-Hartpury); L Bartlett (Sale Sharks), L Skeldon (Bristol Bears), C Belisle (Loughborough LIghtning), E Wassell (Ealing Trailfinders), S Bonar (Harlequins), R Malcolm (Loughborough Lightning), E Gallagher (Bristol Bears), J Konkel (Harlequins)
Replacements: E Martin (Loughborough Lightning), M Wright (Sale Sharks), M Poolman (Watsonian), E Donaldson (Leicester Tigers), R McLachlan (Montpellier), A Stewart (Edinburgh), C Mattinson (Gloucester-Hartpury), E Wills (Sale Sharks)
England vs Scotland head to head (h2h)
England wins: 30
Scotland wins: 2
Draws: 0
England vs Scotland prediction
To make a reasonable prediction as to the outcome of this match, one must simply look at the pool stage standings.
England topped group A with a points difference of +191 and three bonus-point victories. Scotland finished runners-up in pool B, with a barely positive points difference and just the two wins after suffering a bruising loss to Canada.
The numbers on the England line, of course, suggest a rash of dominant victories. They came into the tournament as favourites, and despite not yet facing another contender, have more than delivered on that billing.
Scotland, on the other hand, are at severe risk of joining Wales as another home nation to make an awkward early exit. There is little to suggest they will be able to slow England’s roll.
England to win by 40 points.
England vs Scotland match odds
England to win: 1/200
Scotland to win: 50/1
Draw: 50/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
