THE countdown is on to Scotland’s women playing their first game at the Rugby World Cup in more than a decade.

Megan Gaffney and Liz Musgrove are among the Scots hoping to line up against Wales in the early hours of tomorrow (Sunday) morning in New Zealand.

The match, played at Northland Events Centre, Whangarei, is likely to be crucial if the Scots are to have any chance of making it beyond the group phase.

Two of the best third-placed teams across the three groups will make it through to the quarter-finals.

Gaffney and Musgrove, both of North Berwick, face Wales in a 5.45am BST kick-off. The two countries have played each other 28 times, with the Scots winning on 13 occasions.

Next Saturday (October 15), the Scots face Australia at the same venue in a 3am BST kick-off before playing hosts and reigning champions New Zealand on October 22, 4.45am BST.

Scotland last reached the tournament in 2010, finishing in eighth place.