Scotland on course for England tie after defeat by Canada

Canada (19) 40

Hunt, penalty try, Tuttosi 2, Kassil, DeMerchant Cons: De Goede 4.

Scotland (5) 19

After Canada regained their composure in an intriguing contest in Exeter, Scotland could face hosts England in the women’s rugby world cup quarter-final.

After coming home from defeat to Wales and Fiji, the Scots were on a high when they were able to secure a last-eight spot in Pool B. They also excelled against the world number two team, before eventually succumbing to defeat.

A penalty try from McKinley Hunt, a hooker from McKinley Hunt, and Rhona Lloyd’s score gave the Scots a 14-point lead at the break.

Scotland’s chances of a comeback were thwarted by Evie Gallagher’s superb try, which brought them back within a score early in the second half. However, Francesca McGhie crossed for a late consolation with a second effort from Tuttosi and scores from Brittany Kassil and Olivia DeMerchant.

Later on Saturday, England and Australia will face the winner of Pool A.

Hunt fired over from close range to start the scoring for Canada early on.

Scotland slammed at the Canadian line without success after acknowledging the necessity to be patient with how few chances did.

They fought back, but they eventually found an opening in Chloe Rollie’s corner and remained patient.

Canada remained unaffected and raised the pressure accordingly. Gallagher received a yellow card as the Scots’ line-protection grew more desperate.

The referee found that the Scots had illegally halted the momentum and had awarded a penalty try after Canada had destroyed a scrum under the Scottish sticks.

The world number two team were starting to shift after a fairly level opening half-hour.

The Exeter hooker crossed the whitewash in her home ground to give her side a 19-5 lead at the break, despite Scotland’s triumfantry.

The Scots needed the next score to resurrect their momentum as they were now playing with a stiff breeze at their backs.

After Helen Nelson’s strong carries put them on the front foot, Gallagher ran a brilliant line to cut through the Canada defense and advance to the line in the score.

The Scots were back within seven points of the match when Tuttosi launched a quick attack over the edge to score her second try of the match.

After side-stepping to the line and gathering the ball at the tail of the line-out, Nelson appeared to have reacted, but a TMO review determined that the try had been rejected for offside.

As Canada marched down the other end and powered over the line through substitute Kassil, it was a bitter blow that Scotland would not be able to recover from.