SADIA KABEYA AND Kelsey Clifford claimed two tries apiece as England set up a World Cup quarter-final with Scotland by securing top spot in Pool A thanks to a 47-7 bonus-point win over Australia.
Jess Breach, Abbie Ward and Sarah Bern also crossed in Brighton to help the Red Roses come from behind and equal their own world record of 30 consecutive Test victories.
Australia briefly threatened an upset at the Amex Stadium following an early score from hooker Adiana Talakai before John Mitchell’s side restored order to underline their status as pre-tournament favourites.
With the Scots to come next Sunday in Bristol, a commanding victory in front of 30,443 spectators in the south-coast sunshine was tempered slightly by injuries sustained by Hannah Botterman and Ellie Kildunne.
Australia progress as group runners-up – ahead of the United States on points difference – and will face Canada in the last eight.
Advertisement
Earlier today, Emily Tuttosi scored two tries on her Exeter club ground as Canada beat Scotland 40-19, while the United States thrashed Samoa 60-0.
Canada and Scotland had already both qualified for the last eight before this weekend’s final round of group games.
“I’m so thankful to see a full Sandy Park,” said Canada hooker Tuttosi, who plays for Exeter in England’s elite Premiership Women’s Rugby.
“Women’s rugby is here and it’s here to stay.”
Scotland coach Bryan Easson was frustrated by the result.
“When you make small errors against one of the top sides in the world, they capitalise,” he said.
“That’s what happened. The scoreline doesn’t reflect the game.”
Canada and Scotland exchanged early tries through McKinley Hunt and Rhona Lloyd.
After Scotland’s Evie Gallagher was shown a yellow card, Canada scored a penalty try after a dominant scrum was halted illegally. Tuttosi then crossed as a stretched defence struggled to cope.
Scotland, 19-5 behind, hit back when Gallagher scored a fine try after an arcing run.
Canada pulled clear again when Tuttosi powered over from a line-out.
Scotland’s Helen Nelson had a try disallowed for offside. Then, Canada replacement prop Brittany Kassil scored a try.
Elsewhere, US flanker Freda Tafuna scored four of the Eagles’ 10 tries in a 60-0 rout of Samoa in York.
Full-back Taytana Pati Ah Cheung came within a metre of the Pacific islanders’ first try of the tournament.
In Pool B, Fiji coach Ioan Cunningham oversaw a nervy 28-25 win over Wales that meant his former side had lost all three of their group games.
Wales outscored Fiji five tries to four, but Keira Bevan missed all of her conversion attempts.
Litiana Vueti converted all of Fiji’s tries as, from 28-15 ahead at half-time, they held out for just their second win at a Women’s Rugby World Cup.
“We’ve got an incredible group of athletes and players who can do special things on the field,” said Cunningham. “My task has been to get that out of them, get them to express themselves and play with no fear, and we showed that today.”
Related Reads
Kingfishr and Molly Malone's tee up Ireland's big weekend in Brighton
Even with quarter-final place safe, Ireland are right to go strong against New Zealand
Ireland make 6 changes for New Zealand but Wafer misses out again
Wales counterpart Sean Lynn rued his side’s failure to make the most of their chances.
“One thing I will say is the character they showed from half-time to get themselves back in it was brilliant, but Test-match rugby is brutal,” said Lynn.
All four quarter-final places in the other half of the draw have been decided ahead of Sunday’s matches, when Ireland will seek to repeat last year’s shock win over world champions New Zealand in Pool C.
South Africa, into the last eight for the first time, meet France in Pool D.
In Sunday’s other pool matches, between Japan and Spain, and Italy and Brazil, all four teams are seeking a first win at this World Cup.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
England book quarter-final date with Scotland after topping group with bonus-point win
LAST UPDATE | 6 Sep
Women’s Rugby World Cup Results:
****
SADIA KABEYA AND Kelsey Clifford claimed two tries apiece as England set up a World Cup quarter-final with Scotland by securing top spot in Pool A thanks to a 47-7 bonus-point win over Australia.
Jess Breach, Abbie Ward and Sarah Bern also crossed in Brighton to help the Red Roses come from behind and equal their own world record of 30 consecutive Test victories.
Australia briefly threatened an upset at the Amex Stadium following an early score from hooker Adiana Talakai before John Mitchell’s side restored order to underline their status as pre-tournament favourites.
With the Scots to come next Sunday in Bristol, a commanding victory in front of 30,443 spectators in the south-coast sunshine was tempered slightly by injuries sustained by Hannah Botterman and Ellie Kildunne.
Australia progress as group runners-up – ahead of the United States on points difference – and will face Canada in the last eight.
Earlier today, Emily Tuttosi scored two tries on her Exeter club ground as Canada beat Scotland 40-19, while the United States thrashed Samoa 60-0.
Canada and Scotland had already both qualified for the last eight before this weekend’s final round of group games.
“I’m so thankful to see a full Sandy Park,” said Canada hooker Tuttosi, who plays for Exeter in England’s elite Premiership Women’s Rugby.
“Women’s rugby is here and it’s here to stay.”
Scotland coach Bryan Easson was frustrated by the result.
“When you make small errors against one of the top sides in the world, they capitalise,” he said.
“That’s what happened. The scoreline doesn’t reflect the game.”
Canada and Scotland exchanged early tries through McKinley Hunt and Rhona Lloyd.
After Scotland’s Evie Gallagher was shown a yellow card, Canada scored a penalty try after a dominant scrum was halted illegally. Tuttosi then crossed as a stretched defence struggled to cope.
Scotland, 19-5 behind, hit back when Gallagher scored a fine try after an arcing run.
Canada pulled clear again when Tuttosi powered over from a line-out.
Scotland’s Helen Nelson had a try disallowed for offside. Then, Canada replacement prop Brittany Kassil scored a try.
Elsewhere, US flanker Freda Tafuna scored four of the Eagles’ 10 tries in a 60-0 rout of Samoa in York.
Full-back Taytana Pati Ah Cheung came within a metre of the Pacific islanders’ first try of the tournament.
In Pool B, Fiji coach Ioan Cunningham oversaw a nervy 28-25 win over Wales that meant his former side had lost all three of their group games.
Wales outscored Fiji five tries to four, but Keira Bevan missed all of her conversion attempts.
Litiana Vueti converted all of Fiji’s tries as, from 28-15 ahead at half-time, they held out for just their second win at a Women’s Rugby World Cup.
“We’ve got an incredible group of athletes and players who can do special things on the field,” said Cunningham. “My task has been to get that out of them, get them to express themselves and play with no fear, and we showed that today.”
Wales counterpart Sean Lynn rued his side’s failure to make the most of their chances.
“One thing I will say is the character they showed from half-time to get themselves back in it was brilliant, but Test-match rugby is brutal,” said Lynn.
All four quarter-final places in the other half of the draw have been decided ahead of Sunday’s matches, when Ireland will seek to repeat last year’s shock win over world champions New Zealand in Pool C.
South Africa, into the last eight for the first time, meet France in Pool D.
In Sunday’s other pool matches, between Japan and Spain, and Italy and Brazil, all four teams are seeking a first win at this World Cup.
– © AFP 2025 Additional reporting by Press Association
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Canada Rugby Dominant Scotland Women's Rugby World Cup