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The flowers are crimson, the Scots in azure, the pressure is mounting, how will they do? The final result from a soaking wet Bristol came as little surprise. When bookmakers start quoting prices of 1000-1 on for a team to win a lopsided contest, the chances of England failing to the last four were roughly on a par with anyone in the stands getting sunstroke.

Accompanying this was yet another record statistic for the squad led by Mitchell of serial winners. No leading international rugby side in history had ever achieved 31 Tests in a row as the English women’s team have now done: 61 wins in their last 62 internationals leaves precious little room for critics to doubt their pedigree or competitive edge.

Yet would you risk your home on the English lifting the trophy in less than two weeks? This may depend on the exact amount of money involved and possible access to alternative financial resources. Yet would you truly? Without hesitation? Based on the performance of this particular game, despite the comfortable victory margin and difficult conditions, one might feel tempted to pause and reconsider.

Certainly, the return of Zoe Aldcroft is highly significant. What a totemic figure the England captain has grown into. And as always, once the English advance near five metres of the opposition in possession, fans anticipate eagerly. Scotland were wonderfully spirited and endlessly committed, but the laws of physics cannot be ignored when powerful players with subterranean centres of gravity line up to cross the try line.

The occasionally underrated Talling earned her accolade for best on pitch, while Clifford, replacing the sidelined Botterman, also took her starting chance with both hands. Her two no-nonsense first-half tries will have particularly delighted all at her original team, Finchley Rugby Club, where she was first introduced to rugby at the age of six. Then there is that fleet-footed marvel Dow, who scored her 50th Test try and played with her usual dash and energy.

Fewer than ten penalties on a filthy afternoon was a further positive. 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 much closer.

The coach believed his side had been unfairly handicapped by disruptive tactics in the forwards, but the danger of complacency is ever-present. Can it be called progress, for example, for non-playing England players to be bashing away at drums from the sidelines during a game? Shouldn’t they be concentrating more intently on the game and reserve such activities for post-match? Alternatively, practice more discreetly before “entertaining” the public further?

More pressing is whether England are hitting all the right on-field notes. This, for example, was Holly Aitchison’s big chance to play fly-half and show her suitability to keep the position for the biggest games. She possesses great skill and slotted the vast majority of her goals, but England’s backline seldom clicked as coaches had intended.

One of those moments came after she was moved to the wing, gliding down the 12 channel to register a neat try. Yet the team typically opts for the more direct Tatyana Heard at center, paired with the ever-impressive Jones. Even after all the endless winning, it occasionally seems as if England are still not totally sure of their optimal starting XV.

Maybe it won’t matter when Ellie Kildunne is back. Their powerful forwards and extraordinary strength in depth will wear down all-comers and the holy grail will be won for the first occasion in over a decade. Maybe the winners of Friday’s match between Canada and New Zealand will be overwhelmed by the host nation’s caterpillar tracks. According to the Scottish skipper Rachel Malcolm accurately noted, “England are the No 1 team in the world with justification.”

However, it’s possible England’s future opponents still have a tiny sniff. When McGhie carved through England’s defence late on to help set up the position from which Rhona Lloyd scored a late try, New Zealand players would undoubtedly have taken notice. The Scots also had some joy chipping over the top into space and forcing England’s midfield to retreat.

We shall find out soon enough. What is not in any doubt is the support for England among spectators. Ashton Gate was sold out for this match and will be again for the next round. The final will be a monumental occasion, rain or shine. Oddsmakers are unlikely to abandon the favorites just yet.