Gary Heatly in Manchester
Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm says it means “everything” to her and her team mates to have secured a quarter-final place at the Women’s Rugby World Cup after Saturday’s win over Fiji, the skipper hailing it a “phenomenal achievement”.
The 29-15 bonus point victory over the Fijians was hard fought at the Salford Community Stadium in Manchester, and added to the opening Pool B bonus point win over Wales the week before, means they are through to the last eight with a group game to spare.
They are currently second in the pool behind Canada, who have also made it to the knock-out stages, and who tops the section after three games will be decided when the two teams meet in Exeter on Saturday.
Second in the world Canada will be favourites in that one, but if sixth in the world Scotland can cause an upset then they would avoid tournament favourites England in the last eight and would play Australia or USA.
However, for now the team are still buzzing from securing their path through given their tricky build up to this tournament with contract issues and the timing of the announcement that head coach Bryan Easson will be leaving soon having been disruptive.
“It means quite literally everything to know that we are through to the quarter-finals,” back-row Malcolm said.
“I’ve been a part of this team since 2016, but there’s been women before us that have been fighting for this goal.
“We have had to fight for everything we have got over the years, but for us in the group we have always believed we can compete at the top table.
“And to get to the quarter-finals for the first time in many years is just an absolute phenomenal achievement, but one that we deserve.
“This moment is down to the work that we have tirelessly put in, not only in the last three years since the last World Cup, but the years before that.
“This moment is for the women on the pitch, but also the women that have gone before us in Scotland shirts since 1993 [when Scotland women first played a Test] who fought to get us into this position.
“The last two weeks have been two of the best weeks of my career, if I’m perfectly honest with you.
“The reception that we’ve had coming off the team bus and the reception that we’ve had in the stands from Scotland fans has been unbelievable.
“I’ve never experienced anything like it before and I’ve got goosebumps just talking about it right now.
“It’s truly been a highlight of my career and I think the more of the supporters we can get down to Exeter and get behind us this coming weekend the better because they really do drive us forward.
“So far, the event has been a bit of a fairytale in some respects, but we are definitely not done yet.
“We need to go and finish off the job in the pool against a strong Canada side and then build towards a quarter-final.”
Scotland’s quarter-final will be in Bristol on either September 13 or 14, but for now there might still be a few sore bodies recovering after a bruising battle with Fiji.
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.
Rachel Malcolm is pictured with team mate Leah Bartlett and a mascot during the anthems at the weekend – 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.