MANSHETER, England — Scotland took a big step towards Saturday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup quarterfinals, beating Wales 38-8.
Both sides knew the winner would head to a clash with Canada in pole position to compete in the quarterfinals. Fiji completes pool B.
Scotland was able to park off-field issues, with some players set up without contracts after the tournament.
It wasn’t a distraction as they surged into important victory.
It was an emphatic start to the game as there was a lot to be done on the line. Francesca McGee burst the left field and opened the Scotland’s score within the first minute.
Wales remained calm, thrustling Alex Calendar 13 minutes later, before McGee quickly bagged his second attempt.
The Welsh penalty was rewarded by building stages through scrum half-leigh Abrebnerholden, who pulled back to 10-8 before Scotland went to the trench and sneaked up the gap in Wales’ goal line defense.
Scotland was pulled away in the second half, and McGee completed a hat-trick shortly after the break.
Evie Gallagher was added to the tally from behind the scrum penalty, with Scotland shaking as Wales left.