There is no doubt about the size of the task facing Scotland: to progress to the Rugby World Cup semi-finals they will have to pull off one of the biggest shocks in the tournament’s history to knock out the favourites, England. The old rivalry will reignite in Bristol on Sunday but the bragging rights between the two nations have not belonged to Scotland since 1999. They have lost to England in their last 27 meetings with an aggregate score of 1,351-117. You also have to go back to 2021 for the last time Scotland scored double digits against England in a single game.

However, Scotland fans fear not. This is knockout rugby and as every player and coach this week has said: anything can happen. England are huge favourites to progress to the last four, where France or Ireland will be the opponent, but Scotland will hope to make more history in this tournament. They have reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 2002 with a stunning win against Wales as well as a victory against Fiji. They also gave the world No 2 side, Canada, a proper fight in their final pool game but lost 40-19.

Scotland’s performances have come in spite of contract negotiations blighting the buildup to the tournament. The wing Rhona Lloyd has said that half of the squad will not have contracts beyond this competition and in context it makes their results that much more impressive. The team are aiming for the win against the Red Roses but they are under no illusions about just how tough it will be to overcome their rivals.

The defence coach, Tyrone Holmes, said: “It’s a huge challenge and they are the best team in the world. There are chinks in the armour though, no team is perfect. It’s not the first time we’ve been underdogs, and yes, it will have to be one of our best performances, but we relish that.”

The teams last met during the 2025 Women’s Six Nations where England came out 59-7 winners. That victory was England’s 24th in a row but they have continued to win and are now on 30. A win over Scotland would break their own world record of consecutive victories.

The Red Roses will have to get across the line without their star full-back, Ellie Kildunne, unavailable because of concussion protocol, opening the door for Helena Rowland. The 25-year-old, who has also played at fly-half this World Cup, said of their opposition: “We know them pretty well, there are a lot at Loughborough Lightning and the PWR as a whole so you are playing with or against them most weekends. It goes both ways in that we know exactly how they want to play but they know exactly how we want to play. It makes things slightly harder.

Zoe Aldcroft, the England captain, will return to the side against Scotland after recovering from her knee injury. Photograph: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK/Shutterstock

“We had some things to solve of our own after Australia. It’s always a fun one when you are playing against your friends, there is a slightly different dynamic to it but it’s all about the team for the 80 minutes.”

England will also be without the prop Hannah Botterman who is not included in the matchday squad after coming off against Australia with injury. Kelsey Clifford, who scored two tries last weekend, starts in Botterman’s stead.

Some good news for England supporters comes with the captain, Zoe Aldcroft, coming back into the side after recovering from her knee injury. Sadia Kabeya and Alex Matthews are alongside the captain in the back row with Maddie Feaunati on the bench.

Scotland make just two changes to their starting team with Jade Konkel coming in at No 8, which will potentially be her final international cap as she has announced she will retire from Scotland duty after this World Cup. Christine Belisle starts at loosehead prop with Elliann Clarke and Lisa Cockburn ruled out with injury.

Rachel Malcolm will also captain the team for the 53rd time which is a new record across all Scotland representative teams. The Scotland head coach, Bryan Easson, who will depart his role after the World Cup, had high praise for his captain, saying: “She epitomises what we are about. She is a leader, has passion, pride. If you look at the progress this team has made over the years Rachel is at the heart of it on and off the pitch, the way she speaks and the way she plays … Honestly I just bow down.”

This is the first quarter-final this Scotland squad have ever played and Malcolm says it is the biggest match of their careers. “It is a different type of pressure, no one expects us to win,” Malcolm said. “That is where we thrive. It is the biggest game of our career because we have a huge amount of belief in this team and the performances have built week-on-week while we have been here.

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“To be at this stage and to be in the top eight teams in a competition is massive not just for this group but for Scotland women’s rugby and the history of this game. It doesn’t feel like pressure, it feels like an honour and a privilege that we want to do justice.”

New Zealand v South Africa

Anything other than a New Zealand win would constitute a colossal upset. The six-time champions go into this game after a masterclass 40-0 defeat of Ireland, whereas South Africa lost 57-10 to France in their final pool match. “I think the pressure if you’re underdogs is on them,” said South Africa’s coach Swys de Bruin, who has made 10 changes to the starting XV from the France game. The Black Ferns have lost Amy du Plessis to a shoulder injury for the remainder of the tournament. AFP. Saturday 1pm, Sandy Park, Exeter.

Canada v Australia

World No 2 Canada, who beat Australia 45-7 in Brisbane during the Pacific Four series in May, have yet to lose to the Wallaroos in seven previous encounters. “I think we’ve put ourselves in a good position, but also in a position of pressure,” said Canada’s captain, Alex Tessier. “Pressure is a privilege and we’re looking forward to a good battle.” Australia have already met expectations by getting this far, with coach Jo Yapp – a former England captain – saying: “We had an aim to make the quarters to give ourselves a shot and the players have achieved that.” AFP. Saturday 4pm, Ashton Gate, Bristol.

France v Ireland

An intriguing quarter-final. France won 27-15 when the teams met in this season’s Six Nations but after losing centre Gabrielle Vernier to a 20th-minute red card, Ireland came within two points of them at one stage of the game. Six Nations player of the tournament Aoife Water, who scored twice that day, makes her first appearance of the World Cup tomorrow after a knee injury. After a slow start Les Bleues look to be finding their best form. “We’ve shown we want to play,” said France back Lina Queyroi. “We want to move the ball, to tire them out physically.” AFP. Sunday, 1pm, Sandy Park, Exeter.