The top four teams in women’s rugby will feature in the World Cup semi-finals after France staged a superb second-half rally to edge out Ireland on Sunday before England thrashed Scotland.

England will now face familiar foes France in the last four in Bristol on Saturday after Les Bleues came back from 13-0 down at half-time to beat Ireland 18-13 in a thrilling quarter-final.

By contrast, world number one England, the tournament favourites and unbeaten since losing the 2022 World Cup final to New Zealand, set a new record of 31 successive Test wins with a 40-8 rout of Scotland.

France, however, pushed the World Cup hosts close before England won 43-42 at Twickenham during the Women’s Six Nations in April.

Canada and New Zealand, second and third in the world rankings, will meet in Bris

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