Here is Sarah Rendell’s match report from a blustery Ashton Gate, where England won their 31st game in a row.Two more to go.Thanks for joining me, enjoy your evenings.France will be England’s semi-final opponents, but only after Ireland gave them an almighty scare earlier today:Some words from Bryan Easson on his final game as Scotland head coach.“We did what we wanted to do, reaching the knockout stages.

This shouldn’t be the end, it should be the start of something.This has to be a stepping stone.”On the contract issue: “Everybody deserves something.This squad has been together since 2 June, their professionalism and talent is clear to see … World Cup quarter-finals, that’s the kind of thing you want to achieve to keep the team moving forward.”Rachel Malcolm: “Immensely disappointed with the result today, but happy overall with how the tournament has gone.

It’s been a real squad performance – every player with a thistle on her chest has performed.We’re going to miss Bryan [Easson] tremendously, he’s done a brilliant job of bringing this group together.”Does the captain have a message for Scottish Rugby? “I think just to listen, we know this game better than anyone … we all want to move Scotland forward and try to compete with the likes of England.” A reminder that only 15 players are staying on central contracts after this World Cup, a ridiculous backward step for a developing team.So, the semi-final line-up is complete, with both games here in Bristol next week.

New Zealand v Canada Friday (7pm BST)France v England Saturday (3,30pm BST)Here’s the player of the match, Morwenna Talling,“We put our best foot forward and I think the pack did a great job … the weather wasn’t the best,It’s always massive, that’s what this tournament is all about, play your best rugby and always put on a performance,We’re feeling very confident heading into the semi-finals.

”And the captain, Zoe Aldcroft: “Can’t beat being back on the pitch with the girls today.It’s been a joy to watch them as well, though.We kept in the fight [today] and kept pressure on Scotland.We’re excited for the next week and preparing for France.”England march on, running in six tries without hitting their fluent best on a wet and windy afternoon.

Kelsey Clifford scored twice in a fierce display of the hosts’ forward power; Scotland fought from start to finish but were outmatched; they can still reflect on an impressive campaign, given their off-field issues – and it ended with an emotional try for Rhona Lloyd.Lloyd spins past Breach, lunges and gets over the line.What a moment for her – and the tears are flowing before Nelson lines up the conversion.It’s missed, denying Scotland double digits, but Scotland’s campaign ends on a hugely positive note.80 mins: Scotland get the ball from the scrum, keeping the game alive, and McGhie bolts away downfield! She’s held up by Dow but Stewart keeps them moving forward.

Rhona Lloyd waits out wide and gathers at the second attempt …79 mins: Abby Dow is denied a late second try, a fine tackle from the tireless Nelson causing the ball to bobble loose.78 mins: Time ticking away now as Morwenna Talling is named player of the match, while a few soggy patrons head for the exits.76 mins: Scotland’s hopes of a morale-boosting score are ended, for now, by a collapsed scrum.74 mins: Eva Donaldson and Alex Stewart are on for Wassell and Malcolm, as Bryan Easson makes what will be the final changes of his Scotland tenure.73 mins: Another lineout chance slips away for Scotland but they regain possession and get a penalty.

Nelson opts to go for the corner, seeing little value in a tricky three-point kick.71 mins: The attendance is announced – a sellout crowd of 25,295.70 mins: Scotland have a lineout, but England gather the tipped ball, which also takes a deflection off the referee.England penalised for offside though, and Scotland can push for a consolation try.69 mins: Emma Sing replaces Jones as the teams prepare for another scrum.

In a rare moment of relief for the Scottish pack, England’s Carson is penalised for a collapse.67 mins: It’s been a long afternoon for the Scotland defence, and they’re tested again as Mattison’s clearing kick is charged down.England lead the territory battle 60-40, but it’s 72-28 in the last 10 minutes – and 97% possession for the hosts.A sixth try for England, with 20 minutes of Scottish resistance finally ended.It’s a deserved score for Holly Aitchison, set up by replacement Zoe Harrison’s crafty reverse pass.

Aitchison adds the conversion.63 mins: Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm complains to the referee about the deluge of scrum penalties, but Groizeleau isn’t interested.A couple more Scotland changes, with Brebner-Holden and Rollie replaced by Caity Mattinson and Evie Wills.62 mins: Aitchison almost tees up Dow again with a lofted diagonal ball – but she can’t claim it, under pressure from Fran McGhie.61 mins: Abbie Ward, Maddie Feaunati, Lucy Packer and Zoe Harrison are on for England, replacing Talling, Aldcroft, Hunt and Heard.

60 mins: More scrum pain for Scotland, their fifth penalty of the game.Leah Bartlett and Lana Skeldon are heading off, replaced by Elis Martin and Molly Wright.Changes coming for England too …59 mins: A break in play as Bonar is checked over after a blow to the head.Here’s an enlightening stat: England lead on carries by just 82 to 71, but they’ve carried for 614 metres compared to Scotland’s 290m.58 mins: From another England lineout deep in opposition territory, Atkin-Davies offloads to Zoe Aldcroft, but Scotland hold firm at the line and earn a penalty.

56 mins: England push forward again in waves before Aitchison applies a silky touch, chipping the ball invitingly over the try line.Meg Jones looks to get her hand to it, and the try is initially given – but replays show that Orr made a heroic dive to touch the ball down first and save Scotland from conceding again.54 mins: Cokayne and Muir are replaced by Lark Atkin-Davies and Sarah Bern, as England restock that formidable front row.52 mins: Ellie Kildunne, not in the 23 today because of concussion protocols, is banging a drum on the England bench.That’s not a metaphor.

50 mins: A deft chip from Nelson is gathered on the bounce by Lisa Thomson, but Nelson then spills the ball as Scotland try to build up attacking momentum.There’s an England knock-on, though, so Scotland will put in at a scrum.49 mins: Scotland charge down a clearing kick to set up a spell of attacking pressure, but the white wall holds steady and Abby Dow is able to clear upfield.With Dow and Kabeya advancing, Emma Orr does well to collect and kick downfield, but Aitchison delivers another pinpoint kick to touch.47 mins: Jade Konkel is taken off, marking the end of what will surely be her final international game.

It’s an emotional moment for her, as she gets a deserved ovation from the crowd.Christine Belisle also heads off, with Molly Poolman and Rachel McLachlan coming off the bench.It feels inevitable once England gather the lineout, and Amy Cokayne is waiting behind the maul to collect and dot the ball down.It’s her second score, England’s fifth in total, and Aitchison adds the conversion.44 mins: England roll forward and try to quite literally walk the ball in, but Matthews can’t gather it in.

There’s a knock-on, and England restart with a lineout,Clifford is going off for an assessment, possibly for a head injury – Mackenzie Carson is on to replace her,43 mins: An England put-in at the scrum and the Scottish pack folds,Penalty for the hosts, but they’ll put in again, keeping Scotland under constant pressure,42 mins: An exchange of kicks is brought to an end by Abby Dow, who collects a high ball over her head, returns it to Thomson – and somehow gets downfield to charge it down! Dow looks poised to scramble in for a second try but Scotland get numbers back.

We’re back under way, England resuming with a 26-3 lead.Here’s the latest edition of our Breakdown newsletter.If you’d like to sign up and get it offloaded into your inbox every week, details are inside.Aitchinson kicks her third conversion out of four, and England head down the tunnel with one foot (at least) in the semi-finals, with three tries scored through sheer forward power and relentless pressure on Scotland’s set pieces.England swing the ball out to the left, where it scoots across the turf and is collected by Jess Breach.

She combines with Jones before England turn infield and Kelsey Clifford charges over the line.A fourth try to end a dominant half.38 mins: The soap bar ball causes a double knock-on, and we restart with a scrum 10 metres out.Scotland will put in, but Kabeya springs from the pack to force a turnover …36 mins: The lineout is overthrown, but England get a penalty and set up another push for the line with the rain falling relentlessly.35 mins: Wassell tips the ball back as Scotland earn a welcome lineout win – but as they try to advance down the right, the ball pops loose and Dow punishes the error, kicking into the corner.

She then tries a quick throw to Aitchison, but the referee calls play back for a lineout.33 mins: Aitchison has been excellent in a tricky game for fly-halves, and recovers the ball to keep England moving after Breach lets a high ball through her fingers.England’s forwards rumble forward, Cokayne and then Talling held up at the line – but Scotland have everybody packed in centre-field and Aitchison loops a pass out to Abby Dow, unmarked on the right.Clinically done, although Aitchison misses the extras.30 mins: England penalty, awarded for a high tackle on the advancing Rowland by wing Rhona Lloyd.

They won’t be going for the posts, sensing that a third try is imminent …29 mins: Jess Breach tries to kick and chase down the left flank, but McGhie is able to deal with the loose ball.The clearance is collected by Rowland on halfway, and it’s been a while since Scotland got out of their own half …28 mins: Rain and wind swirling again, but Helen Nelson helps Scotland release a bit of pressure with an accurate kick to touch from deep in her own territory.No try! Handling errors in these slippery conditions are stalling England attacks, so they go for a lineout and more forward power.Amy Cokayne barrels over the line here, but the try is ruled out for an obstruction, after consultation with the TMO.24 mins: The referee, Aurelie Groizeleau, has a word with Leah Bartlett and Maud Muir, who fix each other with steely glares.

The Scottish scrum folds again, though, and England get a free kick.The ball is knocked on with the line in sight, but England will take a penalty, kicked into the corner.