Crucially, though, the Red Roses go on – the thought of a dispiriting final week with the hosts’ competition over dismissed in two flashes of Ellie Kildunne’s bright white boots. This was not a performance to leave Canada quaking yet England’s World Cup chances remain very much alive.

Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Bristol, England Ashton Gate Saturday England 35 (Ellie Kildunne 2, Amy Cokayne, Abbie Ward, Megan Jones tries; Zoe Harrison 5 conversions),

England overcame their toughest test of the tournament so far to book their place in the Women’s Rugby World Cup final with a 35-17 win over France.

The famous embroidery was to be removed from the Bayeux Museum and moved to a secret location in France for safekeeping before being loaned to the British Museum in London, scheduled for 2026.

Kylian Mbappé got France out of trouble, Cristiano Ronaldo helped Portugal do the same, and England finally got its Thomas Tuchel era into gear.