Gary Heatly in Exeter
Scotland had their chances, but in the end they were beaten by a slicker and more clinical Canada team in the Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool B decider on Saturday in Exeter.
At Sandy Park, Scotland were just 7-5 down after 30 minutes, but then No.8 Evie Gallagher was yellow carded and the opposition scored 12 points while she was off to lead 19-5 at the break.
By the 52nd minute Scotland had pulled things back to 19-12 after an excellent converted try from Gallagher, but every time Scotland got close, Canada just did enough to pull away.
Scotland also had a try from stand-off Helen Nelson disallowed on the hour mark as they finished runners-up in the group.
It all means a quarter-final versus world number one side and tournament favourites England is to come in Bristol on Sunday.
A match report can be found here from the Canada game and here are five talking points…
Ten minutes before half-time a killer
Heading into the last 10 minutes of the first half Scotland were going toe-to-toe with world number two side Canada, but then came Evie Gallagher’s yellow card and when a penalty try and then another try followed soon after the Scots were suddenly 19-5 down and facing an uphill challenge.
Great resilience shown at start of second half
The tide had turned well into Canada’s favour before half-time, but this Scotland squad are nothing if not resilient and in the 52nd minute a converted try expertly finished by Gallagher got them right back into things at 19-12. However, soon after try number four came from Canada and gave them a buffer.
Nelson just a bit too eager
On the hour mark a long lineout over the top found stand-off Helen Nelson and she weaved in for a try, but it was quickly ruled out by the referee and the TMO for her being offside. Sahe admitted after the game that she was just a bit eager and, if that had counted and been converted, it would have been 26-19 at that stage.
Francesca McGhie just getting better and better
Those who follow women’s rugby in Scotland closely have known for a while that Francesca McGhie had the capabilities of being something really special – and now she is shown the whole world just how good she can be. A sixth try in three games came here, but she is much more than just a try scorer.
The squad need to dust themselves off and give it everything versus England
Playing the world’s number two side and then the world’s number one side eight days apart is very tough, there is simply no getting away from that, but these players have earned a shot at the quarter-finals and they will dust themselves off and give it everything versus England even if they are massive underdogs.
What’s to come…
The big quarter-final with England on Sunday, September 14 at 4pm at Ashton Gate.
Scotland: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie; Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Lisa Cockburn, Emma Wassell, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (C), Rachel McLachlan, Evie Gallagher. Subs: Elis Martin, Anne Young, Molly Poolman, Jade Konkel, Eva Donaldson, Alex Stewart, Caity Mattinson, Evie Wills.
Canada: Julia Schell; Paige Farries, Florence Symonds, Alex Tessier (C), Asia Hogan-Rochester; Taylor Perry, Justine Pelletier; McKinley Hunt, Emily Tuttosi, DaLeaka Menin, Sophie de Goede, Tyson Beukeboom, Fabiola Forteza, Karen Paquin, Gabrielle Senft. Subs: Gillian Boag, Brittany Kassil, Olivia DeMerchant, Laetitia Royer, Courtney O’Donnell, Caroline Crossley, Olivia Apps, Shoshanah Seumanutafa.
Scorers:
Scotland: Tries: Lloyd, Gallagher, McGhie. Conversion: Nelson 2.
Canada: Tries: Hunt, penalty try (seven points), Tuttosi 2, Kassil, DeMerchant. Conversions: De Goede 3, Tessier.
Yellow cards: Gallagher (Scotland).
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron.
Player of the match: Emily Tuttosi (Canada).
Francesca McGhie is pictured versus Canada – thanks to World Rugby
From August 7 until September 30, GH Media will be following the Scotland World Cup journey all of the way. We will be at all of the Scotland matches down south and will be bringing you all of the interviews and news from camp as well as taking a wider look at the tournament as a whole and its impact on the women’s game. Thanks to Quirky Chocolate and other supporters for allowing this content to happen and to readers for engaging with it.