Avoiding England was the objective on a beautifully bright and breezy day in Devon. But if they keep performing like this, avoiding Canada will become an equally pressing concern. They top Pool B after an assured display in attack and defence and will face Australia in the quarter-finals after England’s victory against the Wallaroos. Emily Tuttosi, the Canada hooker, scored two of their six tries to earn the player of the match award.
Scotland, also through to the last eight after wins against Wales and Fiji, battled until the end but were overpowered by well-drilled and cohesive opponents. Scotland have lost seven out of eight matches against Canada, the solitary success coming at the 1994 Rugby World Cup. You have to go back to 1998 for the last time they defeated England, who they are now poised to play in the last eight. History is against them, but they lack neither ability nor fighting spirit.
