Canada are likely to win Group B, making Scotland versus Wales effectively a knockout game early in the tournament. Scotland seek revenge after narrow 2022 defeats to Australia and Wales that ended their group-stage campaign. That Welsh defeat arrived via an 86th-minute penalty by Keira Bevan. Scotland's buildup has been turbulent: head coach Bryan Easson will leave after the tournament and a public dispute over player contracts persists, with more than half of the 32-player squad reportedly without deals beyond the World Cup. Welsh rugby has faced similar professional challenges but shows tentative optimism under Sean Lynn after recent improvements.
The stakes are high, as is motivation for Scotland on multiple fronts. They will be fuelled by erasing the painful memory of the last World Cup in 2022, when a first appearance in 12 years saw them narrowly lose to both Australia and Wales and exit at the group stage. Hopes are high they can go at least one step further this time. That defeat to the Welsh came via a dramatic 86th-minute penalty from Keira Bevan. Revenge is on the mind for Scotland.
The buildup has been turbulent to say the least. Bryan Easson, the head coach, confirmed last month he would leave after the tournament, and there has been a public dispute between Scottish Rugby and their players over contracts. Scotland's wing Rhona Lloyd said recently that more than half of Scotland's 32-strong squad do not have a deal after the World Cup.
Welsh women's rugby has endured similar problems in its early steps of professionalism but there is tentative optimism for this tournament after consecutive wooden spoons in the Six Nations. Sean Lynn's arrival this year has brought renewed confidence that Wales are on the right lines, as did the drawn two-Test series against the Wallaroos in Australia. We're on the right track. I set targets after the Six Nations to the players. They went away and have come back in better shape, Lynn said.
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