In a heart-stopping clash at a sodden AJ Bell Stadium, Scotland's Women saw their dream of a first Rugby World Cup appearance since 2010 vanish into the Salford night, defeated 19-22 by a resilient Welsh side.
The tension was palpable from the first whistle in this winner-takes-all play-off final. Wales drew first blood with a penalty, but Scotland's Hannah Smith electrified the travelling support by slicing through the Welsh defence for the game's opening try, converted by Helen Nelson.
Wales, however, demonstrated their trademark grit. A powerful driving maul culminated in a try for hooker Carys Phillips, swiftly followed by a penalty from Keira Bevan to edge Wales into a 13-7 lead at the break.
The second half became a brutal war of attrition in the relentless rain. Scotland's Lisa Thomson provided a moment of sheer brilliance, intercepting a Welsh pass and sprinting 60 metres to cross the whitewash. Nelson's conversion nudged Scotland back into a narrow lead, setting up a nail-biting final quarter.
But Welsh experience proved decisive. Another formidable rolling maul was illegally halted by Scotland, resulting in a penalty try and a yellow card, a devastating double blow. Despite a late penalty from Nelson to bring Scotland within three points, Wales held firm in the dying moments, their defence impregnable.
The final whistle confirmed Wales' place in the 2025 World Cup in England, leaving the Scottish players heartbroken on the pitch, their monumental effort ultimately in vain.
