EXETER - Comments by Scotland head coach Bryan Easson, captain Rachel Malcolm, Rhona Lloyd, Evie Wills, Sarah Bonar and Leah Bartlett after their 40-19 defeat by Canada in their final match in Pool B at Sandy Park on Saturday.

Bryan Easson, head coach

On his feelings on the match:

“Frustrated a little bit. I thought we played really well. We went to tie to tie with the second best team in the world and I thought we created a lot of opportunities, we stayed in the fight until the end. When you make small errors against one of the top sides in the world, they capitalise. That’s what happened - 10 minutes before half-time [there was] the yellow card, penalty try. These little things make massive differences. The scoreline doesn’t reflect the game. I thought we stuck in the game but those small errors let them in.”

On ticking off his targets:

“We have done that. We came to qualify for the quarter-finals. We knew this would be a very difficult game for us. We’ve got the quarter-finals, we’re top six in the world so I would say we’re making real progress.”

On preparing to potentially play England:

“How exciting. It’s a World Cup quarter-final against England in their own competition. It’s Scotland-England, it’s always a challenge for us. We  do know them well. We will rest, there will be some sore bodies. We have picked a familiar side for the last three games. We have a good recipe at the moment. We’ll get ready for the big one next week.”

Rachel Malcolm, Scotland captain

On the emotion of going through despite defeat:

“Hugely disappointed. There’s a little bit of pride in there because pretty much everyone in world rugby thought he had no chance today and we proved that we could have done it. There were key turning points in the game that went their way and when you’re playing a top-two side in the world you have to make the most of those opportunities. We came into this game and we said every opportunity we had to take it. I’m proud but we just didn’t make enough of them.”

On potentially playing England next:

“Whoever we were going to play in that next round, it’s going to be a tough challenge. We have shown that we can go up against the best and test them and challenge them. We just need to work hard to create more of those opportunities. We’ve had a fantastic three weeks. I’m so proud of the growth in this team. We’ve got a massive challenge ahead of us. We are so excited for that challenge and we are going to use it for energy.”

On how determined she is for the team’s journey not to end at the quarter-final stage:

“I could not be more determined.”

Rhona Lloyd

On the match:

"There were massive areas of the game where we competed with them, and although we’re frustrated with the loss, there’s a lot to be proud of.

“We could have been more disciplined, it was close margins that let us down today and if we want to compete with these teams that are number one, two, three, then they’re the bits we need to control.

“To only concede 19 points in the first half with the wind howling against us, we’ve got to take some positives from our defence there.”

On wearing the Scotland jersey:

“When you wear a Scotland shirt, it’s always about inspiring the next generation and making things better for the next generation.

“The longer we are in this competition, the more chance we have to inspire people, so we’re really proud that we have another game waiting for us next week.”

Evie Wills

On coming off the bench:

"My mentality is, when you come off the bench, you need physicality, and you need energy because that’s when the girls need it most.

“The 65-70 minute mark is crucial for the girls, and that can win games, so if you can come on and bring them with you, then that’s my job done.”

On the squad:

"Just as a team, in comparison to the last World Cup, we have grown and changed as a team so much. It’s now a 32-man effort, it’s not just your starting 15, it’s not just the 23, that 32 has helped prep everyone for this week.

"We will go to the latter stages and I think we can take so much confidence from that.

"We’ve always said we’re playing for each other. I know the girls would run through brick walls and go to absolute hell for me, and I know they’d do the same for Bryan [Easson] as well."

Sarah Bonar

On the match:

“We showed that we can compete against the second best in the world. Any mistake we made, they punished us, but there's a lot of learning to do ahead of a big week next week.”

On the possibility of facing England next week:

“We’ll be watching the game closely later and if it is England, then I think we've probably had good prep today. To go into that game, it is how best can we look after a ball, discipline, changing momentum."

On the momentum that Canada got with Evie Gallagher’s yellow card:

“It's how do we look to deal with those different situations that are going to happen? It's rugby and how do we stay calm and look after our ball and play in the right areas? Something we have to look at.”

On the Canadian defence:

“Their defence is world class. They're a phenomenal outfit. We knew it was going to be tough, but we didn't think it was unachievable."

Leah Bartlett

On the chances created, especially in the second half:

"We've got a hugely exciting back line. If Rhona [Lloyd] and Fran [McGhie] have ball in hand, they'll do something pretty exciting with it. And Chloe [Rollie] as well. We've got electric pace on our back line I think that's something that we've really been unlocking the last few games. It gives us forwards a bit of an armchair ride."

On the competitiveness in the game:

“There is disappointment because I strongly believe that we could have turned them over today and unfortunately we didn't, but that's the Scottish way to do it, isn't it? We like to make it tough for ourselves."