Canada Dominates Scotland in Rugby World Cup Clash
On a bright and breezy day in Devon, the focus was on strong performances rather than avoiding future opponents—though with this kind of display, Canada’s rivals will have plenty to consider. Kévin Rouet’s squad secured the top spot in Pool B with a composed effort in both attack and defence, setting up a likely quarter-final against Australia, assuming results go as expected in Brighton. Hooker Emily Tuttosi contributed two of Canada’s six tries in their 40-19 victory, earning her Player of the Match honors.
Scotland, led by Bryan Easson, had already secured their spot in the quarter-finals after wins over Wales and Fiji, but they were ultimately outclassed by a well-organized Canadian side. The Scots have struggled historically against Canada, with only one win in eight meetings—dating back to the 1994 Rugby World Cup. Their last victory over England, whom they are now set to face in the next round, came in 1998. Despite the odds, Scotland’s determination remains evident.
With both teams already through to the knockout stage, there was time to acknowledge notable milestones before kickoff. Tyson Beukeboom’s 81st cap made her Canada’s all-time appearance leader, while Brittany Kassil and Courtney Holtkamp celebrated their 50th caps. For Scotland, lock Sarah Bonar marked her half-century of appearances by leading the team onto the pitch. The mutual respect was clear as captains Alex Tessier and Rachel Malcolm exchanged smiles in the tunnel, reflecting the positive spirit of the tournament.
An early handling error from Florence Symonds disrupted Canada’s first strong attack, but Scotland were soon pushed back, and McKinley Hunt powered over following an imposing forward drive. Julia Schell’s aggressive defensive work highlighted Canada’s resilience, though Scotland briefly threatened when Helen Nelson left the field for a head injury assessment after colliding with teammate Lisa Cockburn, who later failed her own assessment.
Scotland’s determined phase play in Canada’s 22 led to penalty appeals, including a notable infringement under the posts by Tessier. Nonetheless, they maintained momentum, and a sharp pass from Rachel McLachlan sent Rhona Lloyd racing over for a try—only the second conceded by Canada in the tournament so far.
Evie Gallagher received a yellow card for an illegal breakdown intervention, and Canada capitalized immediately with a penalty try from relentless forward pressure. Just before halftime, another impressive score extended their lead.
Read next
Stephen Bunting calls death threats and social media abuse ‘very hurtful’ as he addresses Luke Littler’s rise
Definitely," Stephen Bunting says, reflecting on whether the relentless effort required as a darts player on social media feels like a deal with the devil. Following Luke Littler, the prodigious teenage world champion, Bunting is darts' most heavily marketed figure. Yet over the past year, his success on
Bernie Ecclestone questioned after shotgun discovered on his private jet in Portugal
Bernie Ecclestone was detained in Portugal on Monday after customs authorities found an undocumented shotgun in his possession at Tires Aerodrome in Cascais. The incident was confirmed by CuriosityNews, which independently verified the matter with authorities.
The 95-year-old former Formula One chief’s private jet had just landed
49ers preseason: fake wide receivers and undercover stings make it the wildest ever?
The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers have arrived in Australia for this week's NFL season opener in Melbourne. While the flight duration from California to Victoria is approximately 16 hours for both squads, their paths to the season's beginning have been starkly contrasting.
The