Scotland women's national rugby union team

The Scotland women's national rugby union team 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 28 October 2024)
Highest5
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

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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.[citation needed]

Thistle and the anthem

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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.[2]

"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

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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

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Overall

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Top 20 rankings as of 4 November 2024[3]
Rank Change* Team Points
1     England 097.56
2     Canada 089.31
3     New Zealand 088.64
4     France 085.11
5     Australia 078.10
6     Ireland 078.03
7     Scotland 076.82
8     Italy 074.75
9     United States 074.20
10     Wales 072.58
11     Japan 066.41
12     South Africa 066.18
13     Spain 065.42
14     Russia 061.10
15     Samoa 060.56
16     Netherlands 060.20
17     Fiji 059.14
18     Hong Kong 056.20
19     Kazakhstan 055.23
20     Sweden 052.72
*Change from the previous week

(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

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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
  2025 Qualified
  2029 TBD
  2033
Total 5th Place 27 11 0 16 353 529
  Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth place Home venue

Players

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Current squad

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Scotland announced their 30-player squad on 27 August 2024 for the WXV 2 competition.[4][5]

1 On 10 September 2024, Emma Wassell was replaced by Louise McMillan, after been diagnosed with a tumour in her chest.[6]

Caps as of 27 September 2024.

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Leah Bartlett Prop (1998-08-28)28 August 1998 (aged 26) 36   Leicester Tigers
Christine Belisle Prop (1993-11-04)4 November 1993 (aged 30) 36   Loughborough Lightning
Sarah Bonar Lock (1994-02-09)9 February 1994 (aged 30) 38   Harlequins
Elliann Clarke Prop (2001-02-16)16 February 2001 (aged 23) 12   Bristol Bears
Lisa Cockburn Prop (1992-12-06)6 December 1992 (aged 31) 30   Gloucester-Hartpury
Eva Donaldson Second row (2001-07-10)10 July 2001 (aged 23) 12   Leicester Tigers
Evie Gallagher Number 8 (2000-08-22)22 August 2000 (aged 24) 28   Bristol Bears
Jade Konkel Number 8 (1993-12-09)9 December 1993 (aged 30) 63   Harlequins
Rachel Malcolm Back row (1991-05-23)23 May 1991 (aged 33) 48   Loughborough Lightning
Elis Martin Hooker (1999-05-23)23 May 1999 (aged 25) 11   Loughborough Lightning
Fiona McIntosh Second row (1999-10-25)25 October 1999 (aged 24) 3   Saracens
Rachel McLachlan Back row (1999-02-26)26 February 1999 (aged 25) 43   Montpellier HR
Lana Skeldon Hooker (1993-10-18)18 October 1993 (aged 30) 70   Bristol Bears
Aila Ronald Hooker (2004-04-18)18 April 2004 (aged 20) 0   University of Edinburgh
Alex Stewart Back row (2004-05-28)28 May 2004 (aged 20) 6   Corstorphine Cougars
Emma Wassell1 Second row (1994-12-28)28 December 1994 (aged 29) 67   Loughborough Lightning
Louise McMillan1 Second row (1997-07-27)27 July 1997 (aged 27) 54   Saracens
Anne Young Prop (2000-03-17)17 March 2000 (aged 24) 11   Loughborough Lightning
Leia Brebner-Holden Scrum-half (2002-05-26)26 May 2002 (aged 22) 1   Gloucester-Hartpury / Cheltenham Tigers
Coreen Grant Wing (1998-01-30)30 January 1998 (aged 26) 12   Saracens
Caity Mattinson Scrum-half (1996-05-17)17 May 1996 (aged 28) 23   Ealing Trailfinders
Mairi McDonald Scrum-half (1997-11-25)25 November 1997 (aged 26) 24   Exeter Chiefs
Francesca McGhie Wing (2003-05-07)7 May 2003 (aged 21) 13   Leicester Tigers
Rhona Lloyd Wing (1996-10-17)17 October 1996 (aged 27) 50   Stade Bordelais / GB 7s
Helen Nelson Fly-half (1994-05-24)24 May 1994 (aged 30) 61   Loughborough Lightning
Emma Orr Centre (2003-04-06)6 April 2003 (aged 21) 20   Bristol Bears
Rachel Philipps Centre (2002-01-07)7 January 2002 (aged 22) 0   Sale Sharks
Lisa Thomson Centre (1997-09-07)7 September 1997 (aged 27) 60   Ealing Trailfinders / GB 7s
Chloe Rollie Fullback (1995-06-26)26 June 1995 (aged 29) 66   Ealing Trailfinders
Lucia Scott Fullback (2004-02-03)3 February 2004 (aged 20) 1   Hartpury University/Gloucester Hartpury
Meryl Smith Centre (2001-06-11)11 June 2001 (aged 23) 18   Bristol Bears

Notable internationalists

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Award winners

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World Rugby Awards

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The following Scotland players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2001:[7]

Six Nations Awards

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The following Scotland players have been recognised in the Women's Six Nations Awards since 2020:[8][9][10]

Honours

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See also

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

References

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  1. ^ Bathgate, Stuart (2018-02-14). "Pioneers celebrate 25th anniversary of first Scotland women's international". The Offside Line. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  2. ^ "The Scottish Thistle – Beautifully Bold!". Scottish at Heart. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  3. ^ "Women's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  4. ^ "Scotland squad named for WXV 2 competition". Scottish Rugby Union. 27 August 2024. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  5. ^ Perkins, Bruce (2024-09-23). "All 18 squads for the 2024 WXV". 4 The Love Of Sport. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  6. ^ "Scotland Women squad update: Tuesday 10 September". Scottish Rugby Union. 10 September 2024. Archived from the original on 10 September 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  7. ^ "Awards Roll of Honour - World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  8. ^ "Women's Six Nations Player of the Championship". Six Nations Rugby. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  9. ^ "2022 TikTok Women's Six Nations Team of the Championship revealed". Six Nations Rugby. 14 May 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  10. ^ "Revealed: The Fans' 2024 Team of the Championship". Six Nations Rugby. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
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