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If you’re passing by the London Eye in the next couple of weeks, it’s worth stopping at this rugby-themed art installation. The Trail of Roses features a flower for every England player to earn a cap for the women’s team, and is in place until 28 September.
Pre-game thoughts from Bryan Easson, who is departing as Scotland coach after this tournament. “We’re in a good place, training has been good, and eight days since the Canada game which is a good turnaround. The weather might help us, we’ve got a forward pack who will want to get stuck in.
“[England] are formidable, world No 1s, but we want to leave it all out there. It’s a World Cup quarter-final.” How is he feeling on his potential swansong? “It’s not about me, it never has been. It’s about the players out there today. There will probably be a bit of emotion today, win, lose or draw.”
Scotland, beaten 59-7 by England in their last meeting at the Six Nations, make two changes from the team that lost to Canada. Jade Konkel returns at No 8 in what could be her final international appearance, while Christine Belisle starts in the front row. Having retired before the tournament, the prop was called into the squad after Elliann Clarke suffered an injury.
England captain Zoe Aldcroft is back in the starting XV for the first time since the tournament opener against the USA. Holly Aitchinson replaces Zoe Harrison at fly-half, with Helena Rowland slotting in at full-back with Ellie Kildunne ruled out due to concussion. Another potentially big miss for the hosts is prop Hannah Botterman, who suffered back spasms against Australia and is replaced by Kelsey Clifford.
Pre-game reading:
Full time: France 18-13 Ireland
France survive an almighty scare in Exeter! Down to 14 players, they had to fend off a late Irish maul and lineout to scramble into the semi-finals. It’s a devastating near-miss for the underdogs, who didn’t even qualify for the last tournament but left everything out there in pursuit of a famous upset.
Team news
England: Rowland, Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach, Aitchison, Hunt; Clifford, Cokayne, Muir, Talling, Gallingan, Aldcroft (c), 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 (c), Gallagher, Konkel.
Replacements: Martin, Wright, Poolman, Donaldson, McLachlan, Stewart, Mattinson, Wills.
Preamble
As the hosts and favourites for this World Cup, England have had to tread a careful path through the tournament. John Mitchell and his players know anything other than their name on the trophy is a failure, but need to slowly build up steam on the five-week journey to their required destination.
So far, the Red Roses have stuck to their task well, save for a brief early wobble against Australia. They topped Group A with three wins and 208 points scored, setting up this derby date against Scotland. Huge underdogs in Bristol today, Scotland haven’t beaten their neighbours since 1999 – but Ireland’s efforts against France will give them hope.
France have fought back from 13-0 down to lead 15-13, a reminder that nothing comes easy at a World Cup. If they can hold on, they’ll face today’s winners in the semi-finals. Just as in that game at Exeter, wet and windy weather could be a leveller at Ashton Gate. England’s expectations remain sky-high, but there is another job to do first.
