2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup match report: Scotland 29-15 Fiji

Consecutive wins at the Salford Community Stadium has seen Bryan Easson’s side secure maximum points so far, with a showdown against Canada next weekend set to decide who wins the pool. Their latest victory against their southern hemisphere opponents had everything, and although the Fijians pegged them back to within a score on several occasions, the Scots showed exceptional character to qualify from the group with a game to spare.

The afternoon got underway in a similar fashion to a week ago. After scoring within the first 60 seconds last saturday, Fran McGhie notched her fourth try of the campaign just two minutes into this encounter. A poor first search for touch from Fiji saw Scotland win the aerial ball and spark into action. The ball was worked quickly wide left through skipper Rachel Malcolm and the always lively Emma Orr. The latter popped a teasing ball through the Fijian rearguard for McGhie to race onto and finish, for which she needed no second invitation. Helen Nelson’s first kick missed to the left, but it was a start Bryan Easson’s side couldn’t have written better (5-0, 2 mins).

Scotland had their foot firmly on the throttle as they looked to back up their early score. A high tackle saw Helen Nelson kick Scotland to a tantalising five metres out. The line out was smooth and the dark blues rolled forward despite a series of infringements from the Fijians. After the ball was lost forward by in the air by McGhie, play returned for a Scottish penalty, while referee Lauren Jenner was called to the screen by TMO Rachel Horton. After a subsequent review, Fiji tighthead prop Vita Makarugu was handed ten minutes in the bin after a brief check for possible further punishment.

From the scrum, Scotland made the numerical advantage count, pouncing for their second try. A solid set piece set the foundations for Evie Gallagher to pluck and go in the right corner. Two sharp passes later and Rhona Lloyd had a walk in, with Helen Nelson providing the assist. It was slick, it was clinical, it was free-flowing, and Scotland were clicking into gear. Nelson’s kick struck the upright and bounced out (10-0, 10 mins).

Fiji responded to haul themselves back into the game. After turning over in the ruck, Nunia Daunimoala gathered and broke the line, putting Scotland on the back foot. A thumping collision saw the ball break loose, but it was a white shirt who was first to it. As the bodies emerged from the ruck, it was front rower Loraini Senivutu who unexpectedly found herself with ball in hand and the line in sight. Despite the best efforts of Lisa Thomson, Senivutu crashed over the whitewash to half the deficit, although the kick was missed (10-5, 25 mins).

Just as Fiji seemed to be getting a foothold in the game, Scotland lay in wait, and struck again in devastating fashion through Rhona Lloyd. A loose ball in the ruck was grabbed by Emma Orr, who burst forward through a gaping hole in the Fiji defence. Although cover arrived before the centre could break for the line, Scotland had the overload they craved. As Scotland looked to pick the lock, it was winger Lloyd who came in on an exquisite support line to escape unchallenged and finish under the posts, putting daylight on the scoreboard. Nelson added the extras, sending Scotland into the break leading by a dozen (17-5, 34 mins).

Half-Time: Scotland 17-5 Fiji

Fiji came flying out the blocks at the start of the second half. A big break saw them breach the Scotland 22, where both Sarah Bonar and Rachel McLachlan were caught offside. Following a solid scrum Fiji mounted a serious assault for the line, where they were repelled resolutely by a staunch rearguard. As Bitila Tawake flung herself for the line, a flurry of bodies in dark blue got in the way, holding the ball up in sensational fashion. From the goaline dropout the Fijians came again, but after a period of sustained pressure they knocked on and Scotland escaped unscathed.

Fiji dragged themselves back to within a score ten minutes into the second half. Strong carries from hooker Tawake on the 22 and scrum half Setaita Railumu gave them significant strides. The striking blow came from link up between Jade Coates and Manuqalo Komaitai, with the latter gathering the offload and scoring under the posts. It was no more than their play had merited, as Scotland had spent the half so far camped in their own half (17-10, 50 mins).

Scotland weren’t about to sit on their lead, instead extending it through the prolific McGhie, chipping in with her second score of the day and fifth of the tournament. After wrestling back control, rhythm began to flow back into Scotland’s play as they searched for a route to the bonus point. Elis Martin was caught high but play continued with Scotland firmly in the ascendency. As bodies were committed to the deck, space opened up on the left, as it has so many times in the opening two games. There in wait was McGhie again, sidestepping her defender effortlessly before hitting the turf. Nelson sliced the kick right but the lead was restored (22-10, 57 mins).

Following the score, front rower Bitila Tawake became the second Fiji player to sit in the bin after her high hit on Elis Martin. Referee Jenner had little hesitation after consulting with her TMO.

Just two minutes later, Scotland pressed home the numerical advantage once again, and had a serious spring in their step as they looked to put the tie to bed. As the passes moved through the gears, the backs combined to give Scotland their handful of scores. At the end of the move to glide over on the right was outside centre Emma Orr, who gleefully strode over the whitewash. Nelson’s conversion was good this time (29-10, 60 mins).

Sensing it was now or never, the 14 of Fiji came again and thought they had scored their third through winger Nackoci. Countless brutal carries saw them come to within milimetres of a try, but they were caught short. As the Scotland defence creaked, they finally buckled when the ball moved right to Nackoci. However, in stepped the TMO to thwart their celebrations, spotting a deliberate knock on by Nunia Delaimoala. Rachel Horton in the bunker further compounded the Fijians by upgrading the yellow given to Tawake to a 20 minute red card, citing a high degree of danger with no mitigation.

Despite her heroics in attack, Fran McGhie showed her defensive value with a quite stunning last-ditch tackle to deny substitute Kelerayani Luvu as she seemed destined for the line. More bouldering work in the midfield from Nunia Daunimoala saw her offload to Luvu. As she darted down the left with a free path, in steamed McGhie from the opposite flank, recovering remarkably to first force the knock on and then take Luvu into touch. Fiji did get their score just a couple of minutes later through substitute Karalaini Naisewa, who showed composure to burrow over amidst severe Scottish attention. Again the kick was off the mark. Only a minute

later Fiji extinguished any slim hopes of salvaging the game, as Adi Salote Nailolo was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on (29-15, 76 mins).

As the clock ticked into the red, Fiji continued to probe for their bonus point. A barrage of hits came Scotland’s way as they desperately searched for a route to the line. But with the bit between their teeth, the Scots dug in and jubilantly claimed the ball as Fiji knocked on. As referee Jenner blew to end the game the scenes in the dark blue ranks were jubilant, as it was confirmed that Scotland will play beyond the pool stage for the first time in over two decades.

Full-Time: Scotland 29-15 Fiji

Scotland: 15. Chloe Rollie (Toulon Provence Méditerranée), 14. Rhona Lloyd (Sale Sharks), 13. Emma Orr (Bristol Bears), 12. Lisa Thomson, 11. Francesca McGhie (both Trailfinders Women); 10. Helen Nelson, 9. Leia Brebner-Holden (both Loughborough Lightning); 1. Leah Bartlett (Sale Sharks), 2. Elis Martin (Loughborough Lightening), 3. Elliann Clarke (Bristol Bears), 4. Emma Wassell (Trailfinders Women), 5. Sarah Bonar (Harlequins), 6. Rachel Malcolm (captain) (Trailfinders Women), 7. Rachel McLachlan (Montpellier), 8. Evie Gallagher (Bristol Bears).

Replacements: 16. Molly Wright (Sale Sharks) (for Martin, 67 mins), 17. Anne Young (Loughborough Lightning) (for Bartlett, 52 mins), 18. Lisa Cockburn (Gloucester Hartpury) (for Clarke, 42 mins), 19. Adelle Ferrie (Edinburgh Rugby/Corstorphine Cougars), 20. Eva Donaldson (Sale Sharks) (for Wassell, 67 mins), 21. Alex Stewart (Edinburgh Rugby/Corstorphine Cougars) (for McLachlan, 52 mins), 22. Rhea Clarke (Bristol Bears) (for Brebner-Holden, 78 mins), 23. Beth Blacklock (Saracens) (for Thomson, 67 mins) .

Fiji: 15: Litiana Vueti, 14. Alowesi Nakoci, 13. Verenaisi Ditavutu, 12. Josifini Neihamu, 11. Michella’e Brigid Stolz, 10. Salanieta Kinita, 9. Setaita Railumu; 1. Loraini Senivutu, 2. Bitila Tawake, 3. Vika Matarugu, 4. Jade Coates, 5. Mereoni Nakesa, 6. Nunia Daunimoala, 7. Alfreda Fisher (captain), 8. Manuqalo Komaitai.

Replacements: 16. Keleni Marawa, 17. Karalaini Naisewa, 18. Tiana Robanakadavu, 19. Carletta Yee, 20. Sulita Waisega, 21. Kolora Lomani, 22. Kelerayani Luvu, 23. Adi Salote Nailolo.

Referee: Lauren Jenner (FIR)

AR1: Holly Wood (RFU)

AR2: Amelia Luciano (USAR)

TMO: Rachel Horton (RA)

FPRO: Ian Tempest (RFU)

Mastercard Player of the Match: Evie Gallagher (Scotland)

Attendance: 9803