The flowers are crimson, Scotland in blue, the pressure is mounting, what will the outcome be? The final result from a rain-drenched Bristol was predictable enough. When bookmakers start quoting extremely long odds for a team to win a lopsided contest, the likelihood of England failing to the last four were roughly on a par with anyone in the stands suffering heatstroke.
Accompanying this was one more historic achievement for John Mitchell’s bunch of consistent champions. No leading international rugby side in history has previously won 31 consecutive Test matches as England’s women have accomplished: 61 victories in their last 62 internationals offers scant opportunity for people to doubt their pedigree or killer instinct.
But could you risk your home on the English lifting the trophy in less than two weeks? This may hinge on the exact amount of money involved and possible access to other emergency income streams. Yet would you truly? Instantly? Based on the performance of this match, even with a convincing win and challenging weather, one might feel tempted to pause and reconsider.
Certainly, the return of Zoe Aldcroft makes a big difference. What a totemic figure the England captain has grown into. And as always, when England get within five metres of their rivals with ball in hand, fans anticipate eagerly. Scotland were wonderfully spirited and tirelessly determined, but physical realities cannot be ignored when powerful players with low body balance line up to cross the try line.
Sometimes overlooked Talling deserved her award for player of the match, while Kelsey Clifford, in for the injured Hannah Botterman, grasped her opportunity with both hands. Her two straightforward first-half scores likely thrilled all at her original team, Finchley Rugby Club, where she was first introduced to rugby at six years old. Then there is the speedy sensation Abby Dow, who scored her 50th Test try and played with her usual dash and energy.
Fewer than ten penalties on a miserable day was another relative plus. But into the final equation must also be factored they failed to convert due to nagging little misjudgments, questionable decisions, and intermittent flow. On other days, facing teams with stronger fundamentals, the game might have turned out appreciably tighter.
The coach believed his side had been unfairly handicapped by disruptive tactics up front, but overconfidence risks is ever-present. Is it really a great innovation, for example, for non-playing England players to be playing drums in the stands mid-match? Shouldn’t they be concentrating more closely on the game and reserve such activities for afterwards? Or, better still, quietly take a few more lessons before performing again?
More pressing is if the team is striking the correct chords during play. This, for example, was Aitchison’s opportunity to start at No 10 and show her suitability to retain the jersey for the biggest games. She is a lovely footballer and slotted the vast majority of her kicks, but the team’s backs rarely connected as coaches had intended.
A highlight came after she was moved to the wing, gliding down the 12 channel to register a neat try. But England typically opts for the physically assertive Heard at inside-centre, paired with the ever-impressive Jones. Even after all the endless winning, it occasionally seems as if selection remains uncertain of the best starting lineup.
Perhaps it’s irrelevant when Ellie Kildunne is back. Their powerful forwards and extraordinary strength in depth will overwhelm every challenger and the holy grail will be secured for the first occasion in over a decade. Maybe the winners of Friday’s match between the Canadians and Kiwis will be crushed beneath the home side’s relentless advance. According to the Scottish skipper Malcolm accurately noted, “They are the top-ranked side in the world with justification.”
However, it’s possible rival teams retain a slight chance. As the lively Francesca McGhie breached England’s defence late on to create the opportunity from which Rhona Lloyd scored Scotland’s consolation try, the eyes of one or two Black Ferns would certainly have lit up. The Scots also had some joy chipping over the top into space and pressuring the English centers to turn.
We shall find out soon enough. What remains clear is the support for England in the stands. The venue was packed for this match and will repeat for the next round. The title decider promises a monumental occasion, whatever the weather. And the bookies are unlikely to abandon the favorites just yet.
