Scotland vs England in Women’s Rugby World Cup Quarterfinals: Canada Stops the Scots

Scotland will face England in the quarter-finals after falling to Canada

Scotland will face England in the World Cup quarter-finals after a hard-fought 40-19 defeat to Canada at Exeter’s Sandy Park. The fight for first place in Group B was intense until Canada, ranked second in the world and considered one of the tournament favorites, pulled away in the final quarter. Both teams had already qualified for the knockout stage, and the result in Devon would determine who would avoid the powerful England, who defeated Australia in their last group match. Scotland, although persistent in its attempt to surprise, produced striking moments, but was often outmatched in the lead and also struggled to cope with the speed of play of its opponents.

During a period in the first half, they matched the favorites, with a try from Rhona Lloyd in the 22nd minute, only the second that Canada had conceded in the group stage. This came after a long period of pressure and the reward came when Lisa Thomson and Rachel McLachlan skillfully kept the ball in play for Chloe Rollie to send Lloyd to the try zone. Canada’s advantage, established when McKinley Hunt scored in the 12th minute, was reduced to 7-5, but they pulled away by capitalizing on the yellow card shown to Evie Gallagher for a foul on the line. First, they were awarded a penalty try following a dominant scrum that was illegally stopped just before the line, and then Emily Tuttosi scored when gaps opened up, with Scotland struggling to cope with the speed of the attack. Losing 19-5, Scotland pressed again in the rival scoring zone and came close when Helen Nelson advanced before Gallagher ran a line that swept her across the scoring line.

Abby Dow talks about adversity, dad jokes and the world’s best attack

Boks not scared at RWC: ‘They want to play against the best’

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe breaks try-scoring record

But the good work was soon undone when Tuttosi scored from a line-out with the help of a weak tackle from second row Sarah Bonar. Nelson had a try disallowed for offside, a key moment, as shortly after Canada’s pack demonstrated their power in a try by substitute Brittany Kassil. Francesca McGhie and Olivia DeMerchant exchanged late tries.