SCOTLAND’S build-up to January’s World Cup qualifying tournament in Dubai will include their first home match in front of a crowd in two years against Japan at Edinburgh Rugby’s DAM Health Stadium on the pack pitches at Murrayfield on Sunday 14th November (kick-off at 4.10pm). 

With the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference being hosted in Glasgow at the same time as the Japan fixture, the match has been moved from the Scotland Women team’s usual home venue of Scotstoun to avoid potential travel and accommodation disruption for players and supporters. 

Japan provided the opposition for the last Scotland Women match played in front of a crowd on home soil when the visitors ran out 20-24 winners at Scotstoun back in November 2019. 

“The squad are in a really good place right now following our win on Saturday in Italy,” said head coach Bryan Easson. “We have an exciting few months ahead with the final qualifying tournament for the 2022 Rugby World Cup in January. 

 “I am delighted that we will be playing Japan in front of a home crowd. The support that we have had from our supporters over the last 18 months has been fantastic and the whole squad can’t wait to run out in front of a home crowd in November. 

“Japan gave us a great match in 2019 and I am sure that both teams will demonstrate some fantastic rugby for the supporters. This match will give the squad some valuable experience ahead of 2022 Rugby World Cup Qualifying Repechage where we will face Colombia, Samoa and the runners-up of the Asian qualifying tournament which will be either Japan, Hong Kong or Kazakhstan. 

“Scotstoun has been a great home for us, but in this instance playing in Edinburgh will hopefully allow more fans to come and support us, especially the day after the men play South Africa at BT Murrayfield.”