English Woman's Journal - England to face Scotland in Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-finals after record-equalling win over Australia

The Red Roses scored four second-half tries to equal their own record of 30 succesive Test wins, with England's last defeat an agonising loss to New Zealand in the Covid-delayed 2022 World Cup final in Auckland.

But an error-strewn start meant England were behind until the 32nd minute.

Australia, coached by former England captain Joanne Yapp, have also made it into the last eight.

The Wallaroos will now face Canada, having finished second in the group, on points difference from the United States, after last week's dramatic 31-31 draw with the Eagles.

England, unlike Australia, already into the last eight before kick-off, saw Sadia Kabeya and Kelsey Clifford score two tries apiece on Saturday with Jess Breach, Abbie Ward and Sarah Bern also crossing the Wallaroos' try-line.

Australia stunned the crowd at the Amex Stadium by leading through hooker Adiana Talakai's early try before England underlined why they are so highly favoured to win the World Cup.

England will now face Scotland a week on Sunday in Bristol, with Australia taking on Canada the day before at the same venue.

Earlier, Emily Tuttosi scored two tries on her Exeter club ground as world number two Canada beat Scotland 40-19.

Canada and Scotland had both qualified for the last eight before this weekend's final round of group games.

- 'Women's rugby here to stay' -

"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."

The teams exchanged early tries before Canada capitalised on a yellow card for Scotland's Evie Gallagher with a penalty try off a dominant scrum. 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 had a try disallowed for offside before Canada replacement prop Brittany Kassil went over for the clinching score.

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.

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," he said.

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 teams will be seeking to bow out with their first win at this World Cup.

B.Jamieson--EWJ