England vs Scotland live: Red Roses cruise to record-breaking win in Women’s World Cup quarter-final

The ultimate prize remains theirs to seek over the next fortnight but, by one metric, this record-setting England team is already the finest in Test history.

Surpassing their own peerless 30-match unbeaten run will mean little to the Red Roses if the Women’s World Cup crown they so covet is not procured at Twickenham on 27 September but this win was nonetheless significant in taking them a step closer to that goal.

Win 31 of a run that began at the start of 2023 in the wake of the last World Cup final will not necessarily live long in the memory, an overmatched Scotland crushed in familiar fashion in truly wretched conditions in Bristol.

Indeed, head coach John Mitchell might even have made more of the misfortune that so nearly befell waiting semi-final foes France against Ireland – Les Bleues just about remain afloat amidst a storm in Exeter but were briefly in very dangerous water indeed, but will have to be 20,000 leagues smarter and superior to rise to the level of the apex predator of the European game.

Next Saturday afternoon, 3.30pm, England v France in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals. Book it.

And it’s all over! In the torrential Bristol rain, England show their class to dispatch Scotland and reach the World Cup semi-finals.

The Red Roses have broken their own record win streak with a 31st straight victory and Six Nations rivals France await in the last four. The big challenges are still to come

And Scotland have their moment! They get the ball up the field with a breakaway, keeping working the phases and are into the 22.

It’s spilled but backwards and Scotland are still alive. Ball popped to Rhona Lloyd and it’s just desperation that gets her over the line as she barrels through a couple of tacklers.

Tears from her and her teammates. Lovely moment.

England hunting a final flourish but Dow knocks the ball on as she bursts down the right flank into the 22. Final knockings here

Good run by Nelson, into the 22, handing off one defender before carrying tacklers with her. But the ball is knocked on. That’s the story of Scotland’s day, really.

An England scrum as the time ticks away in this quarter-final. And they win a penalty off it

Scotland slowly build an attack and then win a lineout on the England 22. But again, the set-piece lets them down.

It’s overthrown, hits the deck and England can clear. Will Scotland manage to get themselves a try before this one is over?

Another 50-22 as Packer drills a mesmerising kick perfectly into touch. The kicking from hand by England has been exquisite.

The lineout is made a mess of though and Scotland survive.

England keep it tight and bash a couple of carries up the middle. They then flick the ball left, Holly Aitchison takes an inside pass from Harrison and crashes between tacklers for the score. Beautifully worked.

Aitchison converts her own try for good measure

Well, you don’t see that every day. Two balls on the field! As England take the lineout, a member of the crowd throws another ball on to the pitch. That’s unfortunate.

Play stopped, five-metre scrum to England.