Scotland now know who they will face at the 2025 Rugby World Cup. The dark blues will have two key goals in mind going into this tournament. They haven’t won a match at an RWC since 2010. They haven’t made the top tier knockouts following a pool stage since 1998.

Both those targets need to be achieved in a tricky group that includes Canada, Wales and Fiji.

Here's a rundown of Scotland's pool opponents for the showpiece event. 

Canada

Track record v Canada: P7 W1 L6

Last three meetings:

  • Scotland 25-28 Canada (April 2018)
  • Scotland 0-41 Canada (September 2010 – neutral venue)
  • Scotland 10-37 Canada (August 2010 – neutral venue)

Matches against Canada have been a rarity for Scotland in recent times. The most recent clash between these sides was at Scotstoun but even that was six years ago.

Some of the current squad featured in that game, where the dark blues scored four tries – more than they had managed in their other six meetings with the Canadians combined – but still narrowly lost out.

Helen Nelson in action against Canada in 2018Helen Nelson in action against Canada in 2018 (Image: SNS) Unlike their men’s side, Canada have been improving in recent years, increasing their ranking points from prior to the last RWC and overtaking New Zealand to sit second in the world.

They may ultimately be the likeliest challengers to undisputed number one side England in this tournament. Scotland’s job in the pool stages will be to try and match the Canadians in as many areas as possible.

Wales

Track record v Wales: P38 W17 L21

Last three meetings:

  • Scotland 40-14 Wales (September 2024)
  • Wales 18-20 Scotland (March 2024)
  • Scotland 22-34 Wales (April 2023)

Familiarity will not be an issue for Scotland with this matchup. The dark blues have faced Wales more than any other side during their history of international fixtures. Dominance has swung back and forth between the two nations.

The Scots won 12 in a row between 1997 and 2005 but that was immediately followed by a 12-match winning streak – and 18 out of the next 20 – for the Welsh.

Meryl Smith was outstanding as Scotland beat Wales in SeptemberMeryl Smith was outstanding as Scotland beat Wales in September (Image: SNS) After a number of extremely close encounters in recent years between two very evenly matched sides, Scotland have beaten Wales both home and away during 2024.

This will almost certainly be another tight tussle, and one that is highly likely to decide which of these teams will progress to the quarter-final stage.

Fiji

Track record v Fiji: P1 W1

Previous meeting:

  • Scotland 59-15 Fiji (September 2024)

Scotland’s healthy win at the Hive Stadium in September was the dark blues’ first-ever encounter with Fijiana.

It’s the kind of match-up that will hopefully become more common as the women’s game expands its horizons and adds more variety to the fixtures scheduled.

Rhona Lloyd scored a length-of-the-field try against FijiRhona Lloyd scored a length-of-the-field try against Fiji (Image: SNS) The dark blues’ set-piece and the control they can exert through their kicking game should be to the fore in this game as they look to avoid a banana skin that might derail their RWC campaign.