Auld Enemy are drawn together in France
England and Scotland were last night drawn together in Group D for the Women’s World Cup in France next summer.
Scotland are making their debut, while England are looking to improve on their semi-final showing of four years ago.
The clash between the two home nations will be the first match for both teams in Nice on June 9, when the England men’s team will also be playing either in the Nations League final or third-place play-off in Portugal.
England also face a rematch against Japan, to whom they suffered a heartbreaking loss in the last four in Canada, while Argentina are the third team in the group.
Scotland and Manchester City defender Jen Beattie said: “I think it just probably adds to the excitement even more now that we know who’s in our group. England again in the opening game of the tournament, only our second tournament ever.”
Scotland reached their first major tournament finals at the European Championship last year and were also drawn in the same group as England.
The clash between the two was not one to remember for the Scots, who lost 6-0, with Jodie Taylor scoring a hat-trick.
Former England goalkeeper Rachel Brown is excited about another major clash and said: “That’s the dream draw for me. England-scotland, take the rivalry, the emotion that goes with that, couple that with being at a World Cup – awesome.”
Hosts France were placed in Group A along with Norway, Nigeria and South Korea and will play the latter in the opening match of the tournament on June 7 at the Parc des Princes.
Defending champions, the United States, will take on Sweden, Thailand and Chile in Group F while Germany are in Group B with China, Spain and South Africa.