England crash out of World Cup as Ropati leads Samoa to victory

England have crashed out of the Women’s Rugby League World Cup after a 24-6 defeat to Samoa in Wollongong.

Stuart Barrow's side needed victory to secure a top-two finish in Group A and qualify for a third consecutive World Cup semi-final, only to see their campaign ended by a second successive loss.

Freedom Crichton Ropati scored a first-half hat-trick as Samoa raced into a 12-0 lead at the break, with Mercedez Taulelei-Siala extending the Pacific islanders' advantage early in the second half.

Evie Cousins scored England's only try as they looked to battle back into the contest in captain Jodie Cunningham's final match, but Samoa held firm and extended their winning margin with Pauline Piliae-Rasabale's late score.

England's defeat follows a 15-try thrashing by Australia on Saturday and sees them end the pool stage in third spot on two points, joining Wales - who they beat 70-6 in their tournament opener - in making an early exit.

Source: Sky Sports