England (47)
Tries: Breach, Ward, Kabeya (2), Clifford (2), Bern Cons: Harrison (6)
Australia (7)
Tries: Talakai Con: Wood
England overcame a challenging first half to secure a decisive victory over Australia, advancing to a Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash against Scotland.
Flanker Sadia Kabeya and replacement prop Kelsey Clifford each contributed two tries to the scoreline, witnessed by a crowd of 30,433 in Brighton, including Catherine, Princess of Wales, and England men’s captain Jamie George.
However, the match was marred by injuries to key players Ellie Kildunne and Hannah Botterman. Kildunne was sidelined following a head injury assessment, while Botterman departed with a back spasm, raising concerns for the team’s composition.
This win extends England’s unbeaten run to 30 Tests, equalling their previous record, which concluded with their defeat in the 2022 World Cup final.
Despite the victory, the performance against a seventh-ranked Wallaroos side leaves room for improvement and offers encouragement to other teams aiming to challenge the tournament favorites.
England is now set to face Scotland in a quarter-final match in Bristol on Sunday, September 14, scheduled for a 16:00 BST kick-off.
England has demonstrated dominance over their Scottish rivals, with three victories since the last World Cup, boasting an average winning margin of 50 points.
England: Kildunne; Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Galligan, Ward, Talling, Kabeya, Matthews (c)
Replacements: Atkin-Davies, Clifford, Bern, Ives Campion, Feaunati, L Packer, Aitchison, Rowland
Australia: Halse; Stewart, Friedrichs, Pomare, Miller; Moleka, Wood; Kavoa, Talakai, Karpani, Leaney, Leonard, Duck, Marsters, Palu (c)
Replacements: Naden, Pohiva, O’Gorman, Chancellor, Tuinakauvadra, Hinds, Smith
More to follow.
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