The England women's coach Geoff Richards did not mince his words after a display of nerves almost cost his side a place in the semi-finals of the World Cup here.

"We didn't do ourselves any favours with our unforced errors," Richards said.

Ultimately their 13-5 second- round victory over Spain in the Cornella Stadium was enough to keep them on course for an encounter with the defending champions New Zealand in Saturday's final. But the manner in which victory was achieved suggests that a complete overhaul is needed if they are to fulfil their status as second favourites.

In front of 3,500 fans the host nation almost caused the upset of the tournament with a sparkling performance.

Avenging their recent 53-14 Six Nations defeat by England, Spain took a 5-0 lead into the interval, after the winger Isabel Perez charged down Shelley Rae's delayed kick and raced over to score.

The try galvanised England, who snatched back two tries in the first 10 minutes of the second half from Nicki Jupp and Nicky Crawford. Rae sealed the win with a penalty.

With the four pool winners reseeded after the second round games, England's inferior points difference has left them ranked third behind tomorrow's semi-final opponents, Canada, who added an 11-0 win over Scotland to their earlier 57-0 rout of Ireland. France face New Zealand in the other semi-final.

All of this leaves England charged with dispatching the jitters in Girona if they are to set up the tournament's expected finale.

"We've got loads in reserve," said the England centre Selena Rudge. "But we know what Canada can do and, while we don't want it to be a close game, it may well be."