Wikipedia

Scotland women's national rugby union team

For the men's team, see Scotland national rugby union team. For the women's sevens team, see Scotland women's national rugby sevens team.

The Scotland women's national rugby union team (Scots: Scotland weemen's naitional rugby union team)(Scottish Gaelic Sgioba nàiseanta rugbaidh boireannaich na h-Albarepresents) Represents Scotland in women's international rugby union and is governed by the Scottish Rugby Union. The team competes in the annual Women's Six National Championship and has competed in five of the Women's Rugby World Cups since their hosted debut in 1994. The Nation plays an important role in the rugby world stage.

Scotland
Shirt badge/Association crest
UnionScottish Rugby Union
Head coachBryan Easson
CaptainRachel Malcolm
First colours
Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current7 (as of 15 April 2024)
First international
 Scotland 10–0 Ireland 
(Edinburgh, Scotland; 14 February 1993)
Biggest win
 Russia 0–84 Scotland 
(Enköping, Sweden; 17 May 2009)
Biggest defeat
 England 89–0 Scotland 
(Twickenham, England; 13 March 2011)
World Cup
Appearances5 (First in 1994)
Best result5th, 1994

History edit

Scotland Women's first official test match was played against Ireland at Raeburn Place in Edinburgh on 14 February 1993, ending in a 10 - 0 win to the hosts. Leading from the front, first Scotland captain Sandra Colamartino was the scorer of both tries.[1]

In April of the following year, Scotland stepped in as alternate host of the 1994 Women's Rugby World Cup, finishing fifth, the team's best appearance to date. Since then, the Women's team have competed in the 1998, 2002 ,2006, 2010 and 2021 iterations of the tournament.

The early streak of success peaked on 21 March 1998, as a 8–5 win over England in their final match of the Home Nations Championship marked the achievement of a Grand Slam for Scotland.

The Scottish Women's Rugby Union (SWRU) was the national governing body for women's rugby union in Scotland. It was responsible for the governance of women's rugby union within Scotland. Its role was all-encompassing. It went from youth recruitment, through administering all senior based (aged 16+) competition, through to the performance and management of the Scotland women's national rugby union team.

At its AGM in June 2009, the SWRU voted unanimously in favour of amalgamating the Scottish Rugby Union and the SWRU to form an integrated national governing body rugby in Scotland.[2]

Thistle and the anthem edit

The thistle is the national flower, and also the symbol of the Scotland national rugby union team. According to legend the "guardian thistle" has played its part in the defence of Scotland against a night attack by Norwegian Vikings, one of whom let out a yell of pain when he stepped barefoot on a thistle, alerting the Scottish defenders. The Latin Nemo me impune lacessit ("No-one provokes me with impunity!" in English) is the motto of Scotland's premier chivalric order, the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle.[3]

"Flower of Scotland" has been used since 1990 as Scotland's unofficial national anthem. It was written by Roy Williamson of The Corries in 1967, and adopted by the SRU to replace "God Save the Queen".

Strip edit

Scotland have traditionally worn navy blue jerseys, white shorts and blue socks. On the occasion that Scotland is the home side and the opposing team normally wears dark colours, Scotland will use its change strip. Traditionally this is a white jersey with navy blue shorts and socks. During a sponsorship deal, purple was introduced to the traditional blue jersey. This was a significant departure from the traditional colours of blue and white, although purple is inspired from the thistle flower.

Results summary edit

Overall edit

Women's
World Rugby Rankings
Top 20 rankings as of 15 April 2024[4]
Rank Change* Team Points
1     England 096.18
2     New Zealand 090.56
3     France 088.00
4     Canada 086.27
5     Australia 081.61
6     Italy 076.50
7     Scotland 075.80
8     Wales 073.41
9     United States 072.57
10     Ireland 072.35
11     Japan 069.38
12     South Africa 065.17
13     Spain 065.15
14     Russia 061.10
15     Samoa 059.57
16     Netherlands 058.98
17     Fiji 058.65
18     Hong Kong 058.31
19     Kazakhstan 055.97
20     Sweden 052.72
*Change from the previous week
See also: List of Scotland women's national rugby union team matches

(Full internationals only)
Correct as of 13 October 2023

Rugby: Scotland internationals 1993–
Opponent First game Played Won Drawn Lost Percentage
  Australia 1999 3 0 0 3 0.00%
  Belgium 2009 1 1 0 0 100.00%
  Canada 1994 7 1 0 6 14.29%
  Colombia 2022 1 1 0 0 100.00%
  England 1994 32 2 0 30 6.25%
  France 1998 28 5 1 22 17.86%
  Ireland 1993 32 17 0 15 53.13%
  Italy 1988 22 7 1 14 31.18%
  Japan 2019 2 1 0 1 50.00%
  Kazakhstan 2006 1 1 0 0 100.00%
  Netherlands 1995 6 5 0 1 83.33%
  New Zealand 1994 4 0 0 4 0.00%
  Russia 1994 2 2 0 0 100.00%
  Samoa 2002 1 1 0 0 100.00%
  South Africa 2010 5 3 0 2 60.00%
  Spain 1997 23 15 0 8 65.22%
  Sweden 1994 9 9 0 0 100.00%
  United States 1998 6 1 0 5 16.67%
  Wales 1993 36 16 0 20 44.44%
Summary 1993 221 88 2 131 39.82%

World Cup edit

Rugby World Cup
Year Round Pld W D L PF PA
  1991 Did not participate
  1994 5th place 5 3 0 2 72 42
  1998 6th place 5 2 0 3 89 141
  2002 6th place 4 2 0 2 41 53
  2006 6th place 5 3 0 2 67 72
  2010 8th place 5 1 0 4 57 132
  2014 Did not qualify
  2017
  2021 Pool stage 3 0 0 3 27 89
Total 5th Place 27 11 0 16 353 529
  Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth place Home venue

Players edit

Current squad edit

Scotland announced a 34-player squad on 19 February.[5][6]

On 25 March, Natasha Logan was added to the squad to replace the injured Sarah Bonar.[7]

Caps as of 23 March 2023.

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Elis Martin Hooker (1999-05-23)23 May 1999 (aged 24) 5   Leicester Tigers
Lana Skeldon Hooker (1993-10-18)18 October 1993 (aged 30) 65   Bristol Bears
Molly Wright Hooker (1991-05-13)13 May 1991 (aged 32) 18   Sale Sharks
Elliann Clarke Hooker (2001-02-16)16 February 2001 (aged 23) 6   Bristol Bears
Christine Belisle Prop (1993-11-04)4 November 1993 (aged 30) 30   Loughborough Lightning
Anne Young Prop (2000-03-17)17 March 2000 (aged 24) 10   Sale Sharks
Leah Barlett Prop (1998-08-28)28 August 1998 (aged 25) 30   Leicester Tigers
Lisa Cockburn Prop (1992-12-06)6 December 1992 (aged 31) 28   Leicester Tigers
Sarah Bonar Lock (1994-02-09)9 February 1994 (aged 30) 36   Harlequins
Natasha Logan Lock 0   University of Edinburgh /   Edinburgh
Louise McMillan Lock (1997-07-27)27 July 1997 (aged 26) 48   Bristol Bears
Emma Wassell Lock (1994-12-28)28 December 1994 (aged 29) 65   Leicester Tigers
Eva Donaldson Back row (2001-07-10)10 July 2001 (aged 22) 6   Saracens
Evie Gallagher Back row (2000-08-22)22 August 2000 (aged 23) 22   Bristol Bears
Merryn Gunderson Back row (2003-12-02)2 December 2003 (aged 20) 0   Corstophine Cougars /   Edinburgh
Rachel Malcolm (c) Back row (1991-05-23)23 May 1991 (aged 32) 42   Loughborough Lightning
Rachel McLachlan Back row (1999-02-26)26 February 1999 (aged 25) 38   Sale Sharks
Alex Stewart Back row (2004-05-28)28 May 2004 (aged 19) 0   Corstophine Cougars /   Edinburgh
Leia Brebner-Holden Scrum-half (2002-05-26)26 May 2002 (aged 21) 0   Gloucester-Hartpury /   Cheltenham Tigers
Caity Mattinson Scrum-half (1996-05-17)17 May 1996 (aged 27) 18   Gloucester-Hartpury
Mairi McDonald Scrum-half (1997-11-25)25 November 1997 (aged 26) 18   Exeter Chiefs
Helen Nelson Fly-half (1994-05-24)24 May 1994 (aged 29) 55   Loughborough Lightning
Beth Blacklock Centre (1997-11-13)13 November 1997 (aged 26) 3   Saracens
Emma Orr Centre (2003-04-06)6 April 2003 (aged 20) 13   Heriot's Blues /   Edinburgh
Meryl Smith Centre (2001-06-11)11 June 2001 (aged 22) 13   Bristol Bears
Lisa Thomson Centre (1997-09-07)7 September 1997 (aged 26) 55   Great Britain 7s
Cieron Bell Wing (2002-06-02)2 June 2002 (aged 21) 0   University of Edinburgh /   Edinburgh
Shona Campbell Wing (2001-06-07)7 June 2001 (aged 22) 9   Great Britain 7s
Nicole Flynn Wing (2005-09-19)19 September 2005 (aged 18) 0   University of Edinburgh /   Edinburgh
Coreen Grant Wing (1998-01-30)30 January 1998 (aged 26) 7   Saracens
Rhona Lloyd Wing (1996-10-17)17 October 1996 (aged 27) 46   Great Britain 7s /   Stade Bordelais
Francesca McGhie Wing (2003-05-07)7 May 2003 (aged 20) 9   Leicester Tigers
Chloe Rollie Fullback (1995-06-26)26 June 1995 (aged 28) 61   Loughborough Lightning

Notable internationalists edit

Honours edit

See also edit

Women's international rugby – the most complete listing of women's international results since 1982

References edit

  1. ^ Bathgate, Stuart (2018-02-14). "Pioneers celebrate 25th anniversary of first Scotland women's international". The Offside Line. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  2. ^ [citation needed]
  3. ^ "The Scottish Thistle – Beautifully Bold!". Scottish at Heart. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  4. ^ "Women's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Scotland Women extended training squad announced ahead of Guinness Six Nations". Scottish Rugby. 19 February 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  6. ^ Graham, Josh (2024-03-28). "Scotland Women's Six Nations squad 2024 - McMillan to win 50th cap". Rugby World. Retrieved 2024-04-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ "Natasha Logan added to Scotland squad for France clash". BBC Sport. 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2024-04-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

External links edit

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