Gary Heatly in Manchester
Ahead of Saturday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup match between Scotland and Fiji in Manchester, Bishopton were joined by the legendary Donna Kennedy and Sheli McCoy, Scottish powerhouse and CrossFit athlete, for an early morning training session on Friday.
Backed by £750k of National Lottery funding each year, Scottish Rugby is building the future of the game, investing in community clubs across the country and building a women’s and girl’s rugby pathway which has grown participation, created opportunities and supported the next generation of Scottish talent.
Meanwhile, Scotland’s 38-8 win over Wales last weekend with a bonus point now makes them favourites to progress to the quarter-finals from Pool B at the World Cup behind likely group winners Canada. That would mean a probable knock-out tie with world number one side England on September 14.
However, there is a lot of rugby to be played before then and, after Fiji at the Salford Community Stadium this time out (2.45pm, live on BBC Two), there is a meeting with world number two Canada in Exeter on September 6.
Scotland squad to play Fiji: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie; Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Leah Bartlett, Elis Martin, Elliann Clarke, Emma Wassell, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (C), Rachel McLachlan, Evie Gallagher. Subs: Molly Wright, Anne Young, Lisa Cockburn, Adelle Ferrie, Eva Donaldson, Alex Stewart, Caity Mattinson, Beth Blacklock.
The Fiji matchday 23 is here.
Donna Kennedy, who has a record 115 caps for Scotland, is pictured at Bishopton along with Sheli McCoy
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.