Gary Heatly in Exeter
Scotland full-back Chloe Rollie says the squad have been working hard this week to “unlock” Canada’s weaknesses and build on their own strengths ahead of Saturday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool B decider.
The squad are now in Exeter after two matches in Manchester safe in the knowledge that their quarter-final spot is secured.
If they can top the pool after Saturday’s clash with second best in the world Canada then they would likely face a last eight tie versus either Australia or USA in Bristol on September 13.
Should sixth in the world Scotland lose to Canada at Sandy Park then their last eight tie would likely be against England in Bristol on September 14.
Rollie, the 30-year-old with 79 caps under her belt, was one of the few current squad members who played the last time Scotland took on Canada in 2018.
And, ahead of the upcoming big clash, she said: “We focused on Fiji last week and just started looking at Canada on Monday.
“We’ll see what we can do and how we can play to unlock their weaknesses and unlock our strengths and see how we can cause them some problems.
“We know that it will be a tough game, but we are feeling confident after wins over Wales and Fiji up in Manchester.”
Rollie, who has scored 26 international tries and will be playing her club rugby with Rugby Club Toulon Provence Méditerranée in France after this tournament, mentions confidence and the team also has momentum.
“We had to take the momentum that we had from the Wales game into Fiji last weekend,” she explained.
“We did that and now we want to take it into the Canada match too.
“I think getting first points on the board against Fiji was massive. That score and the final result gave us that belief and that boost of confidence to know that we are here and we are playing well and we are capable of backing up results.
“I think as a squad we played really well against Fiji and have plenty to build on.
“We prepared for the line breaks that they would have and we prepared for the moments when it would be really tough. We analysed them down to a T to know what they were going to do and how they were going to play.
“As well as scoring a few tries, defensively we were solid and that was really pleasing against physical opponents.
“It was a very different game than against Wales, but I think those two contrasting challenges have set us up nicely for Canada.”
The Scotland matchday 23 to face Canada is set to be named on Thursday.
Scotland Women’s Rugby World Cup squad
Forwards: Leah Bartlett, Becky Boyd, Sarah Bonar, Elliann Clarke, Lisa Cockburn, Eva Donaldson, Evie Gallagher, Adelle Ferrie, Jade Konkel, Rachel Malcolm (C), Elis Martin, Rachel McLachlan, Molly Poolman, Lana Skeldon, Alex Stewart, Emma Wassell, Molly Wright, Anne Young.
Backs: Leia Brebner-Holden, Beth Blacklock, Rhea Clarke, Coreen Grant, Rhona Lloyd, Caity Mattinson, Francesca McGhie, Helen Nelson, Emma Orr, Hannah Ramsay, Chloe Rollie, Lisa Thomson, Hannah Walker, Evie Wills.
Chloe Rollie is pictured arriving in Exeter earlier this week – thanks to Scottish 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.
