WRWC Quarter-Final: England 40-8 Scotland

The underdogs showed their hand first, rumbling and probing over the course of eight phases, with Evie Gallagher and Leia Brebner-Holden in particular scraping precious yards. And English offside allowed Helen Nelson to clip over the game’s first points (0-3, 3 mins).

The hosts were aggressive in attack, almost too much so, with Holly Aitchison’s attempted cross-field proving a tad keen, and the chance of an instant reply was gone.

A fine turnover from Jade Konkel, in what was her 74^th and final international appearance, continued the Scots’ bright start, which displayed a confidence that belied the perceived gap between the teams.

England would not be denied at their next opportunity though, with loosehead Kelsey Clifford twisting and turning her way to the line in ominous fashion, Aitchison converting from in front of the posts (7-3, 12 mins).

The stand-off was at the heart of her side’s creativity and although it was she who put in a telling grubber, it was sheer force that reaped England’s second try.

Spoiling a third line-out in quick succession, the English pack’s strength told when Morwenna Talling bullied her way over, Aitchison again converting (14-3, 15 mins).

Scotland’s attitude didn’t buckle at that quick-fire double, as has been their mantra throughout the competition. However, opportunities to puncture a water-tight defence were few and far between, despite parity in both possession and territory after a quarter of the game had elapsed.

Conditions, which were dreich at kick-off, deteriorated if anything, with England’s set-piece and close-range dominance starting to sap Scottish reserves. There was, however, respite when Amy Cokayne’s try from an attacking line-out was ruled out by referee Aurélie Groizeleau for obstruction.

England’s third came just after the half-hour mark, Aitchison again assisting a wide-open Abby Dow on the right wing with the safety of a penalty advantage freeing up the easiest of finishes (19-3, 31 mins).

In search of a fourth try before the interval, England struggled to put the finishing touches on a number of chances – in part down to some unwavering Scottish defence – but on the stroke of half-time, Clifford obliged from close range to stretch their lead to 23 points (26-3, 40 mins).

Half-time: England 26-3 Scotland

Dow charged down Lisa Thomson’s attempted clearance and would have grabbed her second try were it not for an outstanding cover tackle by Emma Orr two minutes after the restart.

A fifth try was in the post, though, and Cokayne delivered it from another textbook driving maul. Aitchison added the extras (33-3, 46 mins).

With Konkel – who became Scotland’s first female professional in 2016 – taking her leave to an appreciative crowd, changes on both sides unsettled the rhythm of proceedings, with Orr once more saving a try in pipping Meg Jones to Aitchison’s clever grubber towards the line.

England were fully camped deep in Scottish territory, with the scrum penalty count tallying five at the hour mark. A sixth such incidence escaped further punishment but from the choice this time of line-out, eventually Aitchison ran in a try from a cute inside pass, which she converted (40-3, 64 mins).

A difficult enough afternoon was perhaps best summarised when Lucy Packer’s kick from inside her own half bounced wickedly to hand England a 50:22; a slice of luck that such a complete performance didn’t need to court.

Their race may have been run, but Scotland showed guts in seeking a try in order to breach the defence of the world’s best team, with Helen Nelson’s half-break taking her into England’s 22, but when the ball was fumbled at the resulting ruck, another scrum penalty put paid to a glimpse of that momentum.

There was time, with the clock in the red, for a trademark 30m weaving run by Francesca McGhie, who was ably supported by Alex Stewart as Scotland pursued that try, and they got just reward for an encouraging campaign when Rhona Lloyd bounced off some flailing defenders to cross the whitewash in the game’s last act (40-8, 80 mins).

Full-time: England 40-8 Scotland

England: Rowland; Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach; Aitchison, Hunt; Clifford, Cokayne, Muir, Talling, Galligan, Aldcroft (capt), Kabeya, Matthews.

Replacements: Atkin-Davies, Carson, Bern, Ward, Feaunati, Packer, Harrison, Sing.

Scotland: Chloe Rollie (Toulon Provence Méditerranée), Rhona Lloyd (Sale Sharks), Emma Orr (Bristol Bears), Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie (both Trailfinders Women);
Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden (both Loughborough Lightning); Leah Bartlett (Sale Sharks), Lana Skeldon (Bristol Bears), Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightening), Emma Wassell (Trailfinders Women), Sarah Bonar (Harlequins), Rachel Malcolm (captain) (Trailfinders Women), Evie Gallagher (Bristol Bears), Jade Konkel (Harlequins).

Replacements: Elis Martin (Loughborough Lightning) (for Skeldon, 60 mins), Molly Wright (Sale Sharks) (for Bartlett, 60 mins), Molly Poolman (Watsonians/Edinburgh Rugby) (for Belisle, 46 mins), Rachel McLachlan (Montpellier) (for Konkel, 46 mins), Eva Donaldson (Sale Sharks) (for Wassell, 73 mins),  Alex Stewart (Edinburgh Rugby/Corstorphine Cougars) (for Malcolm, 73 mins), Caity Mattinson (Trailfinders Women) (for Brebner-Holden, 60 mins), Evie Wills (Sale Sharks) (for Rollie, 60 mins).

Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR)
Assistant Referee 1: Clara Munarini (FIR)
Assistant Referee 2: Amber Stamp-Dunstan (WRU)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

Player of the Match: Morwenna Talling (England)
Attendance: 25,295