Canada’s women’s rugby team continues to turn heads at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, powering past Scotland 40-19 at Sandy Park in Exeter on Saturday, September 6. With this victory, Canada finished the pool stage unbeaten and now looks ahead to a quarterfinal clash against Australia, while Scotland’s spirited effort earns them a daunting matchup with world No. 1 England.
Both squads had already secured their spots in the quarterfinals after dispatching Fiji and Wales in earlier rounds, but this Pool B finale was more than a mere formality. For Canada, ranked No. 2 in the world, it was about maintaining momentum and sending a message to the rest of the field. For Scotland, history beckoned: they had only ever beaten the Canadians once in seven previous meetings, way back in 1994. Could they pull off a major upset?
From the opening whistle, the contest was physical and fast-paced. Scotland, coming off a six-try performance against Wales and five more against Fiji, entered with confidence. But Canada’s defense, known for its grit, proved a different beast. Head coach Bryan Easson had hoped for another electric start from Francesca McGhie, who had scored early in both previous matches, but Canada snuffed out her first touch and set the tone for the half.
Conditions were tricky, with a strong breeze complicating the kicking game. Scotland’s Emma Orr sent an early effort too high and into touch, squandering a potential counter-attack. Canada seized the moment. After a lineout, the Canadian forwards rumbled through several phases, and prop McKinley Hunt crashed over for the opening try. Sophie de Goede, Canada’s influential No. 8, calmly slotted the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
Scotland’s response was swift. After a penalty kick to touch, Sarah Bonar—celebrating her 50th cap—sparked an attack that saw Chloe Rollie come close before Rhona Lloyd finished off on the right wing. Lisa Thomson’s conversion attempt, however, drifted wide, leaving Scotland trailing 7-5.
The match settled into a bruising battle, both sides trading blows. Then came a pivotal moment: Scotland’s Evie Gallagher was yellow-carded at the 31-minute mark for interfering illegally near her own posts. The TMO review confirmed she played the scrum-half at the base of a ruck, and Scotland was reduced to 14.
Canada wasted no time exploiting the advantage. First, their dominant scrum forced a penalty try after the Scottish pack collapsed just meters from the line. Then, with the Scots still shorthanded, hooker Emily Tuttosi—who would later be named player of the match—finished off a close-range surge. De Goede missed the conversion, but Canada’s 19-5 halftime lead felt commanding.
"This is more than a Pool B finale – it’s a statement match. Whether Scotland can defy history or Canada continue their march toward world-beater status, the rugby on display promises drama, skill, and high stakes," a Scotland lock reflected after the match, capturing the sense of occasion.
Scotland refused to wilt. Early in the second half, Gallagher atoned for her earlier infraction by bursting through from 40 meters out, brushing off a defender to score under the posts. Helen Nelson converted, narrowing the gap to 19-12 and injecting fresh hope into the Scottish ranks.
But Canada’s forwards would not be denied. Just four minutes later, Tuttosi claimed her second try, this time off a well-worked lineout. De Goede added the extras, restoring a cushion at 26-12. Scotland thought they’d struck back when Nelson pounced on a lineout overthrow, but the TMO ruled her offside—a decision even Nelson admitted was correct.
Canada’s pack continued to flex its muscles. Replacement prop Brittany Kassil powered over after a sustained drive, with De Goede again on target. Scotland, to their credit, kept fighting. Five minutes from time, Francesca McGhie—one of the tournament’s breakout stars—beat two defenders to notch her sixth try of the World Cup, tying Canada’s Julia Schell for the tournament lead. Nelson converted, closing the gap to 33-19.
But the last word belonged to Canada. With time winding down, Olivia DeMerchant finished off another lineout overthrow to score. With de Goede off the field, captain Alexandra Tessier coolly slotted the conversion, sealing a comprehensive 40-19 win.
Canada’s six tries told the story of a pack in total control—five scored by front-rowers, plus a penalty try. Scotland’s defense made Canada work, missing 27 tackles but never giving up. Tuttosi’s two tries and relentless presence earned her player of the match honors. “Emily Tuttosi was the player of the match for scoring twice,” reported The Globe and Mail. “Canada always found another gear to slip into, especially through its pack.”
For Scotland, there were positives despite the defeat. Their three tries—by Lloyd, Gallagher, and McGhie—demonstrated attacking flair, and their resilience never wavered. “The bottom line for Scotland is that they will need to be more clinical than they were against the Canadians. More patient, too, perhaps,” said head coach Bryan Easson, already turning his attention to the looming quarterfinal against England.
Looking at the numbers, the scoring sequence captures the match’s ebb and flow: Canada led 5-0, then 7-0, before Scotland closed to 7-5. Canada surged ahead 14-5 and 19-5 at halftime. Scotland narrowed it to 19-12, but Canada pulled away to 40-19 by the final whistle. Conversions were shared between de Goede (three) and Tessier, while Nelson added two for Scotland.
As the dust settles, both teams can take pride in their journey so far. Canada, unbeaten and brimming with confidence, now prepares for a quarterfinal showdown with Australia, who suffered a heavy defeat to England in Pool A. Scotland, meanwhile, faces the formidable task of taking on the world’s top-ranked side. With Francesca McGhie and Julia Schell tied atop the tournament’s try-scoring charts, individual battles promise to be as compelling as the team contests.
Saturday’s match at Sandy Park was a testament to the rising standard of women’s rugby—full of drama, skill, and heart. Canada’s forwards set the platform, their backs finished the job, and their ambitions for World Cup glory remain very much alive. Scotland, undaunted, will regroup and look to channel the lessons learned as the knockout stages beckon.
With the quarterfinals on the horizon, the stage is set for more fireworks. For now, Canada’s commanding performance stands as a warning to the rest of the field: this team means business, and their march continues.
