Purple Roses run in seven tries in Brighton as record-equalling thirtieth straight win clinches Pool A high spot to arrange World Cup quarter-final with Scotland; Australia qualify for final eight as runners-up and they’re going to face Canada
Final Up to date: 06/09/25 9:11pm
Jess Breach scored England’s first strive on her fiftieth worldwide cap
Sadia Kabeya and Kelsey Clifford claimed two tries apiece as England arrange a World Cup quarter-final with Scotland by securing high spot in Pool A because of a 47-7 bonus-point win over Australia.
Jess Breach, Abbie Ward and Sarah Bern additionally crossed in Brighton to assist the Purple Roses come from behind and equal their very own world report of 30 consecutive Take a look at victories.
Australia briefly threatened an upset on the Amex Stadium following an early rating from hooker Adiana Talakai earlier than John Mitchell’s aspect restored order to underline their standing as pre-tournament favourites.
With the Scots to come back subsequent Sunday in Bristol, a commanding victory in entrance of 30,443 spectators within the south-coast sunshine was tempered barely by accidents sustained by Hannah Botterman and Ellie Kildunne.
Australia progress as group runners-up – forward of the USA on factors distinction – and can face Canada within the final eight.
England had already assured a spot within the knockout levels because of crushing wins over the USA and Samoa, whereas the Wallaroos solely wanted to keep away from an unbelievable defeat of 76 factors or extra to affix them.
Joanne Yapp’s underdogs swiftly confirmed they weren’t content material to accept second spot and led inside six minutes when Talakai burrowed over and scrum-half Samantha Wooden transformed.
Breach touches down for England’s first strive
Amid a collection of errors from each side in a frantic opening, Sussex-born wing Breach marked her fiftieth cap by crossing on the different finish however, after fly-half Zoe Harrison was unable so as to add the extras, just some last-ditch defending prevented the disjointed hosts falling additional behind.
Hooker Amy Cokayne then had a rating chalked off on evaluate after dropping the ball as she tried to floor earlier than loosehead prop Botterman limped off so as to add to England’s early woes.
Prop Hannah Botterman left the sphere after an acute again spasm
The Princess of Wales – a patron of the Rugby Soccer Union – was amongst an expectant crowd which finally noticed the house staff take management of the competition within the closing levels of the half.
Lock Ward crashed over within the thirty second minute earlier than Kabeya touched down following a lineout maul, with Harrison’s profitable conversions leaving England 19-7 forward on the interval.
The Princess of Wales was amongst these in attendance in Brighton
Australia head coach Yapp – a former England captain – had made little secret of the dimensions of the duty dealing with her staff as they sought a primary win over their opponents on the eighth time of asking.
Flanker Kabeya capitalised on a Wallaroos error to bag England’s bonus level 4 minutes into the second interval after being teed up by Natasha Hunt earlier than full-back Kildunne, whose 50:22 led to the preliminary alternative, went off for a head damage evaluation from which she didn’t return.
Full-back Ellie Kildunne was compelled off after a blow to the top
Australia fly-half Faitala Moleka was sin-binned for head-on-head contact as she helped maintain up Maud Muir earlier than substitute prop Clifford – on for the stricken Botterman – twice bulldozed over.
Alternative tighthead Bern accomplished the scoring quarter-hour from time – with Harrison extending her factors tally to 12 – earlier than her night was soured barely by a yellow card for a excessive problem.
Mitchell: England ‘a bit of bit clunky’
England head coach John Mitchell: “We didn’t start well, we looked a little bit clunky, a bit untidy in attack, but I thought our defence was outstanding.
“Generally assault would not go for you, so it is one thing that was in our personal management – it wasn’t one thing that Australia have been doing to us. We’ll simply return and replicate on our preparation.”
All eyes flip to Bristol and the World Cup quarter-finals, the place Australia face Canada on Saturday at 4pm earlier than England tackle Scotland on Sunday at 4pm.
