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Roses are red, the Scots in azure, the pressure is mounting, what will the outcome be? The scoreboard answer from a soaking wet Bristol was predictable enough. When bookmakers start quoting extremely long odds for a team to win a two‑horse race, the chances of England failing to the last four were roughly on a par with anyone in the stands getting sunstroke.

With it came one more historic achievement for John Mitchell’s bunch of consistent champions. No top-tier rugby nation in history has previously won 31 Tests in a row as England’s women have now done: 61 victories in their past 62 Tests offers scant opportunity for people to doubt their heritage or competitive edge.

But could you risk your home on England hoisting the trophy in just under a fortnight? This could depend on the exact amount of funds at stake and possible access to other emergency income streams. Yet would you truly? Instantly? Based on the performance of this match, even with the comfortable victory margin and difficult conditions, one might feel tempted to pause and reconsider.

Certainly, Zoe Aldcroft’s comeback makes a big difference. What a totemic figure the England captain has become. And as always, when England get within the goal line of their rivals with ball in hand, fans anticipate eagerly. The Scots showed great heart and tirelessly determined, but physical realities are not easily defied when big forwards with subterranean centres of gravity are queueing up to score.

The occasionally underrated Morwenna Talling earned her accolade for best on pitch, while Clifford, replacing the sidelined Botterman, grasped her opportunity with both hands. Her two straightforward first-half scores will have particularly delighted everyone at her first club, Finchley RFC, where she was first introduced to rugby at six years old. Additionally there’s the speedy sensation Dow, who notched her half-century of international tries and played with her usual dash and energy.

A single-figure penalty count on a miserable day was a further positive. However, one must also consider the handful of tries they didn’t nail due to nagging little misjudgments, questionable decisions, and occasionally staccato rhythm. On other days, against opponents with a sturdier set piece, the contest could have been appreciably tighter.

The coach believed his side had been unfairly handicapped by Scottish cynicism up front, but the danger of complacency lurks around every corner. Is it really a great innovation, for example, for reserve squad members to be playing drums in the stands mid-match? Shouldn’t they be concentrating more intently on the action and reserve such activities for post-match? Alternatively, quietly take a few more lessons before performing again?

More pressing is whether England are hitting all the right on-field notes. This, for example, was Holly Aitchison’s big chance to start at No 10 and demonstrate she deserves to keep the position for the biggest games. She possesses great skill and slotted the vast majority of her goals, but England’s backline rarely connected as the management might have hoped.

A highlight came after Aitchison had been shifted to the wing, gliding down the 12 channel to register a neat try. Yet the team typically opts for the physically assertive Heard at inside-centre, paired with the ever-impressive Jones. Despite continuous success, it occasionally seems as if selection remains uncertain of their optimal starting XV.

Perhaps it’s irrelevant when Kildunne returns. Their powerful forwards and extraordinary strength in depth will overwhelm every challenger and the ultimate prize will be won for the first time since 2014. Maybe the winners of the other semi-final between Canada and New Zealand will be crushed beneath the home side’s relentless advance. According to the Scottish skipper Rachel Malcolm accurately noted, “They are the top-ranked side in the world for a reason.”

But just maybe rival teams still have a tiny sniff. As the lively Francesca McGhie carved through England’s defence late on to help set up the position 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 with tactical kicks into space and forcing England’s midfield to retreat.

Answers will come shortly. What is not in any doubt is the Red Rose love in the stands. The venue was packed for this match and will be again for the next round. The title decider promises a huge event, rain or shine. Oddsmakers are unlikely to abandon the favorites at this stage.