England rout Scotland 40-8 in record 31st straight Test win to reach Rugby World Cup semi-finals
Hosts England beat Scotland 40-8 in Bristol to secure a record 31st consecutive Test victory and advance to the Rugby World Cup semi-finals against France.
England marched into the Rugby World Cup semi-finals with a dominant 40-8 victory over Scotland in Bristol, extending their record to 31 consecutive Test wins.
Scotland opened the scoring through a Helen Nelson penalty, but England responded in the first half with two Kelsey Clifford tries and one from Morwenna Talling in heavy rain. Holly Aitchison added five conversions before the break to give the hosts a commanding 26-3 lead.
Abby Dow scored her 50th try for England after a loose pass from Scotland opened space on the wing. In the second half, Amy Cokayne powered over from a driven line-out and Aitchison added another try as England controlled the game. Scotland finished on a high when Rhona Lloyd scored in the final play.
England's 31-match winning streak breaks their own record set during the build-up to the 2022 World Cup. Their only defeat in the past 62 matches remains the 2022 final loss to New Zealand.
Scotland captain Jade Konkel retired after the match, ending a 12-year Test career with 74 caps. The result also raises questions about the professional future of several Scottish players, with many contracts due to expire.
England's depth proves decisive
Scotland capitalised on an early England error to take a 3-0 lead, but England soon took control. Clifford’s first try came after sustained pressure, followed by Talling’s score from a line-out drive. Aitchison’s deft boot work and precision passing unlocked Scotland’s defence throughout the match.
Despite a spirited fightback from Scotland in the second half, England’s superior bench strength allowed them to maintain intensity and secure a comfortable win.
Line-ups
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: Rollie; Lloyd, Orr, Thomson, McGhie; Nelson, Brebner-Holden; Bartlett, Skeldon, Belisle, Wassell, Bonar, Malcolm (capt), Gallagher, Konkel. Replacements: Martin, Wright, Poolman, Donaldson, McLachlan, Stewart, Mattinson, Wills.
England set a new record with 31 consecutive Test wins, underscoring their strength as they reach the World Cup semi-finals.
This topic was reported by BBC Sport.
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