WORLD Cup fever is sweeping New Zealand ahead to long awaited tournament which starts on Saturday.

The competition had been due to take place last year at this time but was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.

More than 30,000 tickets have already been snapped up for opening match day at Eden Park with the game on track to draw largest ever attendance at a stand-alone women’s sports match day in New Zealand.

Borders trio Chloe Rollie, Lisa Thomson and Lana Skeldon are preparing for the tournament alongside Biggar’s Emma Orr, the youngest member of the squad, who turned 19 years old during this year’s Women’s Six Nations championship.

Scotland made their last appearance at the showpiece event 12 years ago and qualified thanks to a 59-3 win over Columbia in February.

Bryan Easson’s squad comprises of an equal split of 16 forwards and 16 backs, with the tournament marking the first ever Rugby World Cup experience for the entire squad

The Scots have been drawn in Pool A alongside Wales, Australia and New Zealand.

The squad departed for New Zealand on Friday September 23 ahead of their first pool match against Wales on Sunday, October 9 which takes place at Northland Event Centre, Whangarei (kick-off 5.45pm NZ time, 5.45am UK time).

The side will then go on to face Australia on Saturday 15 October (kick-off 3pm NZ time, 3am UK time) before taking on reigning champions and hosts, New Zealand, on Saturday 22 October (kick-off 4.45pm NZ time, 4.45am UK time).

All of Scotland's pool fixtures will be on ITV main channel, and available on STV Player and ITV hub.