World Cup: Ruthless England set up Australia 1/4 final

England handed South Africa a 75-0 thrashing at Auckland's Waitakere Stadium on Sunday as group play in the Women's Rugby World Cup concluded with the tournament favourites setting up a quarter-final meeting with Australia next weekend.

England's 13-try victory secured them third seeding behind defending champions New Zealand and Canada, who earlier defeated the United States 29-14 to line up last eight meeting with their neighbours on Sunday.

Favourites England will take on the Australians for a place in the semi-finals after topping Pool C while New Zealand face Wales on the other side of the draw.

England's forwards were utterly dominant against a South African side that needed an unlikely win in the day's final game to secure the last remaining quarter-final berth ahead of Wales.

Second row Rose Galligan and Connie Powell each scored a hat-trick of tries while Poppy Cleall and Sadia Kabeya crossed the line twice apiece.

Shaunagh Brown, Marlie Packer and Abby Dow also put their names on the scoresheet in a one-sided contest.

Defeat for South Africa also ensured Wales' progression to the next round, where they will face New Zealand for the second time in the competition.

Italy scraped home 21-8 in their final match against Japan to set up a quarter-final against fourth seeds France, who they beat in their final warm-up match for the tournament.

Italy advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time with Melissa Bettoni's 78th-minute try sealing the victory after Michela Sillari's two second-half penalties had given Di Giandomenico's side the lead.

Early scores from Emily Tuttosi and Alex Tessier put Canada in control of their meeting with the United States and, although Alev Kelter reduced the deficit in the 19th minute, Paige