Just one change – injury-enforced – indicates Scotland’s delight with their opening victory over Wales. Six tries and plenty of free-flowing rugby has put the Scots in the driving seat to secure qualification to the knockouts. Vowing to show the “same respect” to Fiji as they did to neighbours Wales, the women in blue will be out to impress once more.
Despite the scoreline, there were some positives in Fiji’s 65-7 defeat to Canada, not least the stunning team-try finished off by Kolora Lomani. Prop Vika Matarugu is one of those to jump to the starting XV after impressing off the bench, while watch out for heavy duty outside-centre Verenaisi Ditavutu.
Kick-off: 14:45 BST, Saturday, 30 August
Venue: Salford Community Stadium, Manchester
If you have a ticket already, check out former England star Harriet Millar-Mills’ Guide to Manchester for all the top tips to making the most out of your trip.
How to watch: Pick up a last-minute ticket here.
Or check out our Global Guide to the TV options in your area.
Scotland team
Scotland’s key player: While fellow wing Francesca McGhie hogged most of the headlines v Wales courtesy of her hat-trick, Rhona Lloyd was quietly hugely impressive once more. Part of a devastating back three, alongside water-tight full-back Chloe Rollie, Lloyd possess a fleet of foot that pundits and teammates alike purr over.
Fiji team
Fiji’s key player: Look out for Michella’e Stolz. She may still be a teenager and making her RWC debut on Saturday but the winger has already showed her immense character. Inspirational with her words after that one-sided defeat to Canada, the young flier now has a chance to make her mark on the pitch. A former sevens player, she is undoubtedly one-to-watch.
Recent head-to-head:
14.09.2024 SCO 59-15 FIJ
What they said:
Scotland head coach Bryan Easson:
“When you look at six tries, 95 per cent tackle success rate as well, I think both sides of the ball everybody was just on top of their game, but I think there’s more in us.
“When we reviewed the game we left two or three chances out there as well so we’re certainly not the finished article. This is a team who want to improve week on week; our mindset is that every session we want to leave a better player, every week we want to leave as a better group.
“Respect for Fiji. They’re a good side, we’ve watched them very closely, and we’ve got to respect Fiji like we respected Wales and that’s the way we’ve treated this week. I felt the performance from the group, the whole 32 last week was excellent, but the 23 in particular, I thought, played particularly well, and you’ve got to get some momentum in a tournament like this as well.”
Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm:
“I’ve never had a welcome to a game that we had in Manchester on the weekend. It quite honestly took my breath away walking off the bus and and seeing and hearing the Scotland fans around us and we literally walked into the changing room and every single person was like ‘right, I’m ready to go now’, because it was just so inspiring.
“Then to see the mascot and all the people in the stands, the number of people that travelled, that was just inspirational and to see the messages that have come in since the game and all the bits of support is exactly why we do it.
“Hopefully we can just keep performing and and getting the results that that support deserves and keep driving that support and rugby in Scotland forward.”
Fii head coach Ioan Cunningham:
“Everyone’s hurting. It was a tough loss. We don’t like to feel like we did after that game, but when you break the game up and you look at some of the aspects of our attack and some of our defence work, there’s loads of positives to take out of it.
“If we can string more minutes together, like we showed, especially when we scored the try, where we found our shape and got into what we’ve been doing with the last five, six weeks, then we’ll troubles sides with that.
“I think from my point of view, it’s trying to create a good balance between the super strength of the team, of being able to play with a natural ability of an offload game, playing that free spirit. But getting the balance right that we don’t overplay, and feed opposition turnover ball, to allow them to capitalise on that.
“That’s been a challenge and something I think we’ve improved on. And also understanding potentially a bit more about how territory can win you matches.
I’m still 4-1 up against Brian (Easson, Scotland head coach)…. Don’t tell him that! Scotland are in a good place, I thought they were excellent against Wales.”