England's lock Rosie Galligan wins line-out ball during the Women’s Rugby World Cup pool A match between England and Samoa. Photo: AFP / GLYN KIRK
England, Canada and Scotland booked their places in the Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with victories as the hosts posted their record win in the tournament with a 92-3 thumping of Samoa.
England put in a professional performance as they ran in 14 tries against a Samoan side with amateur status who could not handle the pace and power of their opponents.
England had 12 different try-scorers, including a hat-trick for winger Jess Breach.
Flyhalf Helena Rowland added 11 conversions to go with her try for a personal haul of 27 points, the most by an England player at the Women's World Cup.
Harmony Vatau's penalty for Samoa early in the second half was celebrated wildly as they managed their first points of the campaign.
"I did (enjoy it when we got points), initially I wanted us to tap and go but we talked about getting some points which we did and we avoided that zero," Samoa coach Ramsey Tomokino told BBC.
"But a goal was to cross that line and we didn't. We need more rugby in Samoa, we need to be part of a professional competition, that would help us."
Canada, ranked number two in the world behind England, scored six tries in a 42-0 Pool B win over Wales as wings Alysha Corrigan and Asia Hogan-Rochester both scored superb tries.
Props McKinley Hunt (two) and Brittany Kassil, and flyhalf Taylor Perry also crossed the line, and lock Sophie de Goede kicked all six conversions.
"While sticking with our process and just trying to take things game by game, it is great to know that we are through going into our next match (against Scotland on September 6)," Hogan-Rochester said.
"With that being said, it doesn't change how we prepare for the next game."
Scotland scored five tries in their gritty 29-15 victory over Fiji, whose discipline in the tackle was poor and led to what seemed an inevitable red card for hooker Bitila Tawake.
There were also yellow cards for Vika Matarugu and Adi Salote Nailolo as Scotland's pressure forced Fiji into errors.
Wingers Francesca McGhie and Rhona Lloyd scored two tries each and centre Emma Orr got another for Scotland.
England coach praises team
England head coach John Mitchell says he's building depth in the Red Roses squad after blooding a number of players in the team's second match.
"I thought the girls' attitude was outstanding, they were so clinical and looked really well organised," Mitchell told reporters.
"Sometimes you get a bit loose when the scoreboard builds but they just stuck to the process."
Helena Rowland came into the side for the game and posted 27 points with a try and 11 conversions, the most points by an England player in the World Cup.
"We had some huge individual performances out there and we are going to need a squad to be successful at this World Cup,Gǥ Mitchell said.
"The way these girls are supporting each other, they are always there for each other, whoever is selected, is fantastic. We need to stay consistent and cohesive, and selection will be made based purely on form."
England face Australia in their final group game in Brighton next Saturday, though their quarter-final place is already secure.
It will present a selection headache for Mitchell as he plots his way through the tournament.
England lost captain Zoe Aldcroft to a knee injury for the remainder of the pool stages at least, and Mitchell will be wary of bigger challenges ahead in the coming weeks.
"We could select anyone at the end of the day, we will need everyone because the injury gods haven't been kind to us," he said.
- Reuters
