Scotland women's national rugby union 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.
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Union | Scottish Rugby Union | ||
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Head coach | Bryan Easson | ||
Captain | Rachel Malcolm | ||
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World Rugby ranking | |||
Current | 7 (as of 15 April 2024) | ||
First international | |||
![]() ![]() (Edinburgh, Scotland; 14 February 1993) | |||
Biggest win | |||
![]() ![]() (Enköping, Sweden; 17 May 2009) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
![]() ![]() (Twickenham, England; 13 March 2011) | |||
World Cup | |||
Appearances | 5 (First in 1994) | ||
Best result | 5th, 1994 |
History
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
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
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
Overall
Rank | Change* | Team | Points |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | ![]() | 96.90 |
2 | ![]() | ![]() | 90.56 |
3 | ![]() | ![]() | 87.27 |
4 | ![]() | ![]() | 86.27 |
5 | ![]() | ![]() | 81.61 |
6 | ![]() | ![]() | 75.99 |
7 | ![]() | ![]() | 74.28 |
8 | ![]() | ![]() | 74.26 |
9 | ![]() | ![]() | 73.53 |
10 | ![]() | ![]() | 72.57 |
11 | ![]() | ![]() | 69.38 |
12 | ![]() | ![]() | 65.17 |
13 | ![]() | ![]() | 65.15 |
14 | ![]() | ![]() | 61.10 |
15 | ![]() | ![]() | 59.57 |
16 | ![]() | ![]() | 58.98 |
17 | ![]() | ![]() | 58.65 |
18 | ![]() | ![]() | 58.31 |
19 | ![]() | ![]() | 55.97 |
20 | ![]() | ![]() | 52.72 |
*Change from the previous week |
(Full internationals only)
Correct as of 13 October 2023
Opponent | First game | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Percentage |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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1999 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.00% |
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2009 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% |
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1994 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 14.29% |
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2022 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% |
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1994 | 32 | 2 | 0 | 30 | 6.25% |
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1998 | 28 | 5 | 1 | 22 | 17.86% |
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1993 | 32 | 17 | 0 | 15 | 53.13% |
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1988 | 22 | 7 | 1 | 14 | 31.18% |
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2019 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50.00% |
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2006 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% |
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1995 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 83.33% |
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1994 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0.00% |
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1994 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% |
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2002 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% |
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2010 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 60.00% |
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1997 | 23 | 15 | 0 | 8 | 65.22% |
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1994 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% |
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1998 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 16.67% |
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1993 | 36 | 16 | 0 | 20 | 44.44% |
Summary | 1993 | 221 | 88 | 2 | 131 | 39.82% |
World Cup
Rugby World Cup | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Did not participate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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5th place | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 72 | 42 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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6th place | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 89 | 141 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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6th place | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 41 | 53 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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6th place | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 67 | 72 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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8th place | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 57 | 132 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Did not qualify | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Pool stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 27 | 89 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 5th Place | 27 | 11 | 0 | 16 | 353 | 529 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Players
Current squad
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 | 23 May 1999 (aged 24) | 5 | ![]() |
Lana Skeldon | Hooker | 18 October 1993 (aged 30) | 65 | ![]() |
Molly Wright | Hooker | 13 May 1991 (aged 32) | 18 | ![]() |
Elliann Clarke | Hooker | 16 February 2001 (aged 23) | 6 | ![]() |
Christine Belisle | Prop | 4 November 1993 (aged 30) | 30 | ![]() |
Anne Young | Prop | 17 March 2000 (aged 24) | 10 | ![]() |
Leah Barlett | Prop | 28 August 1998 (aged 25) | 30 | ![]() |
Lisa Cockburn | Prop | 6 December 1992 (aged 31) | 28 | ![]() |
Sarah Bonar | Lock | 9 February 1994 (aged 30) | 36 | ![]() |
Natasha Logan | Lock | 0 | ![]() ![]() | |
Louise McMillan | Lock | 27 July 1997 (aged 26) | 48 | ![]() |
Emma Wassell | Lock | 28 December 1994 (aged 29) | 65 | ![]() |
Eva Donaldson | Back row | 10 July 2001 (aged 22) | 6 | ![]() |
Evie Gallagher | Back row | 22 August 2000 (aged 23) | 22 | ![]() |
Merryn Gunderson | Back row | 2 December 2003 (aged 20) | 0 | ![]() ![]() |
Rachel Malcolm (c) | Back row | 23 May 1991 (aged 32) | 42 | ![]() |
Rachel McLachlan | Back row | 26 February 1999 (aged 25) | 38 | ![]() |
Alex Stewart | Back row | 28 May 2004 (aged 19) | 0 | ![]() ![]() |
Leia Brebner-Holden | Scrum-half | 26 May 2002 (aged 21) | 0 | ![]() ![]() |
Caity Mattinson | Scrum-half | 17 May 1996 (aged 27) | 18 | ![]() |
Mairi McDonald | Scrum-half | 25 November 1997 (aged 26) | 18 | ![]() |
Helen Nelson | Fly-half | 24 May 1994 (aged 29) | 55 | ![]() |
Beth Blacklock | Centre | 13 November 1997 (aged 26) | 3 | ![]() |
Emma Orr | Centre | 6 April 2003 (aged 20) | 13 | ![]() ![]() |
Meryl Smith | Centre | 11 June 2001 (aged 22) | 13 | ![]() |
Lisa Thomson | Centre | 7 September 1997 (aged 26) | 55 | ![]() |
Cieron Bell | Wing | 2 June 2002 (aged 21) | 0 | ![]() ![]() |
Shona Campbell | Wing | 7 June 2001 (aged 22) | 9 | ![]() |
Nicole Flynn | Wing | 19 September 2005 (aged 18) | 0 | ![]() ![]() |
Coreen Grant | Wing | 30 January 1998 (aged 26) | 7 | ![]() |
Rhona Lloyd | Wing | 17 October 1996 (aged 27) | 46 | ![]() ![]() |
Francesca McGhie | Wing | 7 May 2003 (aged 20) | 9 | ![]() |
Chloe Rollie | Fullback | 26 June 1995 (aged 28) | 61 | ![]() |
Notable internationalists
Award winners
The following Scotland players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2001:[8]
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Honours
- WXV
- WXV2 Winners: 2023
- Home Nations Championship
- Winners: 1998
- European Championship
- Winners: 2001
See also
Women's international rugby – the most complete listing of women's international results since 1982
References
- Bathgate, Stuart (2018-02-14). "Pioneers celebrate 25th anniversary of first Scotland women's international". The Offside Line. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
- "The Scottish Thistle – Beautifully Bold!". Scottish at Heart. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
- "Women's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
- "Scotland Women extended training squad announced ahead of Guinness Six Nations". Scottish Rugby. 19 February 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- Graham, Josh (2024-03-28). "Scotland Women's Six Nations squad 2024 - McMillan to win 50th cap". Rugby World. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
- "Natasha Logan added to Scotland squad for France clash". BBC Sport. 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
- "Awards Roll of Honour - World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2024.