On a bright Saturday afternoon in Exeter, Scotland battled bravely but were overpowered by Canada, falling to a 40–19 defeat in the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
The opening minutes were slightly scrappy from Scotland, who struggled to settle into a rhythm. Canada’s offloading game quickly caused problems, with McKinley Hunt breaking the line before the defence scrambled back. The pressure soon told, and in the 12th minute Canada struck first with a converted try to lead 7–0.
Scotland regrouped, using a penalty advantage to push into Canadian territory. Helen Nelson’s kick to touch gave them an attacking line-out, but her match was briefly disrupted after a head collision with Lisa Cockburn forced her off for a head injury assessment. That allowed 24-year-old Evie Wills to make her World Cup debut.
Momentum shifted in the 22nd minute when Rhona Lloyd finally broke through after several near misses, finishing out wide to cut the deficit to 7–5. Scotland’s discipline soon wavered.
Evie Gallagher was shown a yellow card for foul play, and Canada ruthlessly capitalised, running in two quick tries to stretch their lead to 19–5 at the break.
Scotland emerged from the interval with renewed energy. Fran McGhie began to threaten on the wing, while Gallagher redeemed herself by powering over for a try in the 51st minute after returning to the pitch, converted by Nelson, to bring Scotland back within seven points at 19–12.
Canada responded swiftly, Emily Tuttosi crossing for their fourth try. Minutes later, Nelson looked to have pulled one back for Scotland, only for the TMO to rule her offside and disallow the score. A penalty pushed Canada further ahead, but Scotland refused to fold.
Their persistence was rewarded in the 74th minute when McGhie darted over after clever support play from Caity Mattinson, with Nelson adding the extras. At 33–19, Scotland still had belief, but Canada had the final say with a late try that sealed a 40–19 victory.
For Scotland, it was a performance marked by effort, resilience and flashes of attacking promise, but costly indiscipline and Canada’s clinical finishing proved decisive.
Head coach Bryan Easson spoke after the game saying: “frustrated, because I thought we put them under a lot of pressure, but there were maybe two or three things that just allowed them back in the game. 10 minutes before half-time was frustrating – a yellow card, penalty try and to go in 19-5 down probably didn’t reflect the first half. “
He followed on to say, “I think we’ve just shown against the second-best team in the world that we can compete. I thought we attacked really well, with a lot of really good variation against a good defensive side.
“Our scrum was solid, our line-out was good, and I thought we created some more chances as well. We scored three, one was disallowed and that was encouraging.”
Player Sarah Bonar spoke on the quarter finals next week and the high chance they might be up against England, “when playing against the best teams in the world, we need to be patient. It’s not going to happen off the first, second, third phase even. We just need to be patient and keep that ball, trust the process and the gaps will appear.”
“Look, let’s just go and throw the kitchen sink at it.”
Scotland now turn their attention to the quarterfinals, encouraged by their determination and glimpses of attacking flair despite a tough afternoon against one of the tournament’s strongest sides.
