Underdogs have not beaten Red Roses since 1999 but will relish challenge after impressive run to quarter-finals
T
here 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.
