FULL TIME: England 40 – 8 Scotland

Tears at the final whistle as Scotland exit the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 after a hugely valiant and traditionally stoic effort.

It was a fitting end to the campaign for the Scots to score with the final play of the match – they deserved nothing less from the game. But it’s not just the end for Scotland in this campaign, it’s also goodbye to a number of stalwarts of the squad.

Head coach Bryan Easson, as well as 74-cap Jade Konkel, and 37-cap Lisa Cockburn, all conclude their innings with the national team.

It wasn’t to be Scotland’s night tonight, but no one could fault their effort or willingness to fight for that semi-final berth. It was Scotland’s first quarter-final appearance in 23 years and they pushed right to the end.

That concludes our coverage tonight, thank you for joining us for this quarter-final coverage.

TRY Scotland! Rhona Lloyd

It’s overthrown and England surge into Scotland’s half once more. Despite the weather, England have lovely hands as they spread it wider, only ending when Dow loses it forward inside Scotland’s 22.

With the clock in the red, the scrum is won and McGhie breaks through. Stewart follows suit and the Scots reach all the way inside England’s 22. Here comes the fight once more as England defend desperately.

It’s almost lost but the referee says it’s gone backwards. They almost make the wrong choice flinging it to the right, but Lloyd doesn’t give up. She recollects and bursts through three tackles to dot down with the final play of the game. It’s Scotland’s first try of the match, and it was a beauty.

From wide right, Nelson lines up the conversion, but can’t make it stick. (England 40 – 8 Scotland, full time)

Last throes as Scotland push on

England’s scrum once again overpowers Scotland and they win it. It’s booted down towards Scotland’s 22, and Martin successfully fins Donaldson.

A penalty is won for offside, with two minutes remaining and Thomson again kicks to around the 40m line.

Lost scrum, gained scrum

Five minutes remain as Scotland pack down for a scrum on England’s 22 line.

England win another scrum penalty for a collapsing scrum and the Red Roses clear up to near halfway, but the resulting phase is knocked on, on the 40m line.

Subs roll in, Scotland get another chance

That hope is dashed though as the lineout is once again overthrown.

England clear and Scotland restart on the halfway line. The away side wins another penalty, this time on the 40m line. Thomson again looks to the sideline and nails it up to the 22.

Morwenna Talling is named Mastercard Player of the match.

Malcolm and Emma Wassell’s days have ended, they are replaced by Alex Stewart and Eva Donaldson.

Scotland have a chance with 10 remaining

With the rain lashing down (it has been for the past 15 minutes or so) the scrum is won, and Gallagher emerges off the back with the ball, but her pop pass to Wills can’t be gathered and England now have a scrum on Scotland’s 22 line.

Scotland win the penalty though as the front row collapses – a reprieve. The resulting kick though doesn’t find touch and Scotland are again on the defensive end.

After a botched lineout, Scotland win a penalty for offside and this time the kick reaches the touchline on England’s 22.

The attendance is confirmed as 25,295.

Piling on the pressure again

It’s a third 50-22 of the afternoon for England. The Scots couldn’t win their lineout on halfway and it was flicked back to Lucy Packer, who booted it downfield and out for an English throw.

They do drop their own throw and give Scotland a scrum on their 22 line though.

TRY England – Aitchison

England win the scrum and go straight to the backs.

After a couple of good defensive phases, the dam does break and a clever flick pass against the grain goes to Aitchison, who slips the tackle of Rhona Lloyd and crashes over for the sixth English try of the match.

Lining up her own conversion, she pops it over with minimal fuss. (England 40 – 3 Scotland, 65 mins)

Penalty for England stacking up

England feed the scrum and shove forwards. McLachlan catches the scrum half and they have a penalty advantage.

Again Aitchison opts for a crossfield kick, and it goes out of play once more. They’ll come back for the penalty.

Referee speaking to Malcolm now about a warning for penalties stacking up.

Changes roll in

While we wait for the scrum, Scotland have made more changes.

Evie Wills will come on for Rollie; Caity Mattinson comes on for for Brebner-Holden; Elis Martin replaces Lana Skeldon, and Molly Wright for Leah Bartlett

Scotland survive another wave of attack

Another kick to the corner and Scotland will again have to defend their line with everything they have left. The maul comes down naturally, and England drive again and again.

Great defence in the end as Breach loses her pass forward and Scotland have a scrum right on their line.

Goal line drop out

Orr won that race beautifully and touched down, denying the try.

After the restart, England win the ball on the edge of the 22 and win a penalty for a high tackle.

TMO check

England win a scrum penalty and kick to Scotland’s 40m line.

Another easy lineout win for the Red Roses and they gain metres almost at will. Inside the 22 now, their ruck speed is so quick. Aitchison stabs a grubber kick through from the 22 line and it’s chased by the centres. It looks like Orr gets there first but we will look at it now.

Clever chip and chase from Nelson

From the lineout, Nelson chips a ball over the top for Thomson to chase and gather! That was classy. She’s brought down on England’s 40m line, and the following phase is lost forward by Nelson in contact, but promising moves there from the visitors.

Subs roll in now for Scotland

Konkel and Christine Belisle have come off, with Molly Poolman and Rachel McLachlan coming on for them. Will that be Jade Konkel’s final involvement for the national team? Time will tell, but if it is, it’s been an incredible contribution,

In the meantime, Scotland have won a lineout in England’s 22 with Skeldon on the ball at the back of the drive. Nelson, then Brebner-Holden have snipes and reach up to near the 5m line.

It’s loose when thrown out the back and England can set off for an attack now, and it’s hooked down field by Breach. After kick tennis, Scotland win a lineout near halfway.

TRY England – Cokayne

England win a penalty from the scrum for the front row driving in, and they opt for a scrum on Scotland’s 5m line.

They drive towards the line and win another penalty, Aitchison this time choosing to kick to the corner.

It’s brought down safely by England and they dot down for their fifth of the afternoon. It’s Cokayne getting the plaudits, and her second of the game. The drive from England was just too powerful for the away side to keep out. Aitchsion slots the conversion this time. (England 33 – 3 Scotland, 46 mins)

Kick tennis almost ends in try

Scotland win the lineout and kick tennis ensues.

It ends though when a Thomson clearing kick is charged down by Dow, who turns on the jets and boosts away towards the line. A desperate tackle from Orr and Rollie brings her down and she loses it in contact. A close shave there for Scotland.

Second half underway

Aitchison gets us underway in Bristol, and Nelson thumps away a returning kick over the England backline, turning them and forcing an early clearance out around halfway for a Scottish throw.

Half time debrief

Scotland started the quarter-final red hot against the Red Roses, getting the first points on the board after the opening exchanges.

Helen Nelson’s boot put the side ahead from right in front of the posts. From then on though, it was a different story.

Kelsey Clifford scored two of England’s four tries, with Talling and Dow picking up the other two.

Scotland find themselves 23 points down at half time, and with it all to do in the second stanza.

TRY England – Clifford

England’s promising attack comes to an end with a knock on as the line beckons. Again the English scrum is great and Brebner-Holden is put under immsnse pressure, losing it in the process of clearing the scrum,

England flick it wide and Breach keeps the ball alive in contact. It’s handed off to Clifford who crashes over for her second try of the afternoon and Aitchison makes no mistake with this conversion. That’ll do for the first half of action. (England 26 – 3 Scotland, half time)

England’s power coming to the fore

Scotland lose their lineout throw on halfway from the restart and it’s eventually turned over for Thomson to clear from the 22.

Scotland do win the penalty though for England being off their feet and Thomson clears up to halfway again.

Scotland try to attack but a pass to Rollie comes off her shoulder and it’s hacked away by Aitchison, who again finds a 50-20 from nowhere.

TRY England – Dow

Abby Dow puts in a clever grubber kick down the left wing, which is gathered by McGhie and cleared by Nelson, only as far as Aitchison.

Scotland are pinged though for a high tackle on the edge of the 22 and again it’s kicked to the corner. The lineout is messy but it’s rerouted beautifully and Talling almost goes in for a second on the line. Under advantage, it’s flung wide to Dow, and with Scotland committing numbers to the ruck, she goes in untouched for the Red Roses third of the afternoon.

Aitchison lines up her third attempt but her radar is off for this one. (England 19 – 3 Scotland, 32 mins)

Scotland survive – try overturned

The TMO is checking whether the lineout was ever contestable. They are talking about obstruction now.

The call is indeed obstruction and Scotland survive that foray.

Possible try England… TMO check

England push straight through the scrum and turn it over. Hunt punts a kick over the top and Chloe Rollie does everything she can to keep it in, but it’s a 50-20 to England.

England win a penalty for not releasing and Aitchison opts to kick to the corner for a rumble.

The win the lineout and the rumble does come. Amy Cokayne at the back of the maul has the ball, and they push and push. Scotland are being driven back and Cokayne does reach the line and dives over to claim England’s third try of the afternoon.

But hang on… there’s a TMO check.

Scotland settling, taking chances

Scotland win their scrum on the 40m line and Orr chases a kick from Thomson stabbed into the 22. It’s grounded over the line by Natasha Hunt and the goal line drop out falls to Scotland to drive forward again.

It’s lost in the ruck – deemed to be from an English hand. Scotland will have the feed to the scrum about 30m out – right in front.

Scotland gain metres inside English half

In a moment of deja vu, Scotland find themselves with a throw on halfway directly from a try restart. They win this one though and they begin to gain metres inside the English half.

Emma Orr opts to kick after a handful of phases going nowhere and a kick battle ensues. Scotland win the battle, gaining about 10m into England’s half with a lineout to come.

TRY England – Talling

England clear from the restart and again Scotland lose their own lineout from an overthrow.

It gives England another golden attacking chance, and Aitchison stabs through a clever kick behind and it trickles into touch. Scotland will have a lineout 5m out from their own line.

Again it’s fumbled and Rosie Galligan takes it. Morwenna Talling is first receiver from the initial ruck and she dives over with little fuss to extend the lead. Aitchison adds the extras too. (England 14 – 3 Scotland, 15 mins)

TRY England – Clifford

The scrum is solid and England reaches the 22 line after a few phases. Jones breaks the gain line and the forwards get in to push the Red Roses on.

England are close now, and it’s handed off to Kelsey Clifford who crashes over from close range, it’s the first try of the match and it goes the way of the home side.

Conversion is good

The conversion is from right out in front and it’s slotted by Aitchison. (England 7 – 3 Scotland, 12 mins)

Scotland settling in nicely

Scotland win a penalty in the midfield through Sarah Bonar and Jade Konkel, who got over that ruck immediately.

Thomson pokes the penalty kick down to the 22 but the lineout is pinched by the home side and booted down field. McGhie returns, but it’s lost in the tackle and England will have the first scrum of the match.

England fight back

The lineout is overthrown and England regather inside the 22. The initial foray gets to within 10m, and they immediately opt for the cross-kick from Holly Aitchison. It’s *just* overcooked, and goes out for a Scottish 22 drop-out.

First English attack thrown into touch

Scotland clear well from the restart and England now have their first attack.

Jess Breach returns well to the edge of the 22, but they are ultimately dragged into touch – a great result for the Scots there.

Penalty! Scotland 3 – 0 England

Nelson slides that one over from close range and Scotland are first on the board in Bristol.

First chance goes Scotland’s way

Helen Nelson poles through a kick behind the white defence, and it forces the covering fullback to clear into touch for the first lineout of the match on the edge of the 22.

The Scots win the lineout and surge into the 22 with McGhie and Brebner-Holden. Bartlett makes metes inside the 5m line and the forwards go to work.

They win a penalty for offside and they point to the posts for the first shot at goal of the match.

Kick off!

Lisa Thomson gets this match underway, and it’s safely taken down by the Red Roses. Back it goes and it’s hoofed down field for Thomson to regather and counter attack.

Anthems sung, tears cried… kick off awaits

17 May, 2002, was the last time Scotland reached the quarter-finals of the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

23 years, 4 months later, Rachel Malcolm’s team challenge the number-one ranked side in the world for a berth in the semi-finals.

We are just a minute away from kick off now in Bristol.

Here come the teams!

The teams are being led out by their captains, Rachel Malcolm and Zoe Aldcroft.

The crowd is at fever pitch, despite the weather, and we are awaiting anthems and then kick off!

Just 10 minutes to kick off!

Final preparations are now complete! The teams are ready to come out of the tunnel now as we are just 10 minutes out from kick off.

In other quarter-final results

As this is the final of four quarter-final matches, here’s what’s happened around the grounds elsewhere.

Yesterday, New Zealand toppled South Africa, 46-17, and Canada overcame Australia 46-5. It means New Zealand and Canada will face off in semi-final number one on Friday night.

And, in an enthralling match, France fought back to defeat Ireland 18-13 in the final gasps of the match. The winner of today’s match will play France.

Final match prep underway

Today’s match officials team

You can catch all of today’s action

Today’s match will be broadcast live and free to air on BBC1 and iPlayer. Coverage is scheduled to start momentarily over there.

A reminder of the past week’s news

Big news came out of camp this week with the announcement of two upcoming retirements at the end of this campaign.

• Jade Konkel announced her retirement from international rugby, bringing a close to a remarkable career that has inspired a generation. She makes her 74th appearance for the national side today.
• Lisa Cockburn also announced her retirement, from both international and club rugby, following the conclusion of the Women’s Rugby World Cup. Cockburn, who has 37 caps for her country, has been ruled out of today’s match following HIA protocols.

Scotland have arrived!

Rachel Malcolm’s side have arrived and have just scouted out the (rainy) pitch here at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol.

And the England side facing them today…

England

15. Helena Rowland
14. Jess Breach
13. Megan Jones
12. Tatyana Heard
11. Abby Dow
10. Holly Aitchison
9. Natasha Hunt

1. Kelsey Clifford
2. Amy Cokayne
3. Maud Muir
4. Morwenna Talling
5. Rosie Galligan
6. Zoe Aldcroft (captain)
7. Sadia Kabeya
8. Alex Matthews

Replacements:
16. Lark Aitkin-Davies
17. Mackenzie Carson
18. Sarah Bern
19. Abbie Ward
20. Maddie Feaunati
21. Lucy Packer
22. Zoe Harrison
23. Emma Sing

Here’s your Scotland team for today!

Coin toss news

Scotland have won the coin toss and will be kicking off. Scotland will be attacking left to right.

Hello and welcome!

Hello and welcome to today’s coverage of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 quarter final between hosts England and arch rivals Scotland.

Soon we’ll bring you all the news and teams for today, so stick with us as we countdown to kick off in Bristol, just under an hour away now.