Scotland player ratings v Ireland | 2026 Guinness Women's Six Nations

This was as one-sided as they come as Ireland dominated and entertained a record crowd of 31,294 at the Aviva Stadium to win 54-5.

Meanwhile, Scotland’s injury-ravaged and disappointing Guinness Women’s Six Nations campaign came to a tough end. 

The game was pretty much finished after a quarter of the Round 5 contest in Dublin by which stage Ireland were 26-0 up. 

By half-time they had scored seven tries and kicked six conversions to lead 47-0 and while they only scored one more try in the second half the damage had well and truly been done. Aicha Sutcliffe scored a consolation try for Scotland with the clock in the red.

Since a win in Round 1 in Wales, Scotland have lost four Six Nations games in a row and have conceded a whopping 38 tries in those four games.

It’s certainly been an eye opening first campaign in charge for head coach Sione Fukofuka and his coaching team and they know they have plenty of work to do going forward after Scotland finished fifth in the standings.

Here is how the Scotland players rated:

15. Chloe Rollie – 5

Was stepped by Irish winger Robyn O’Connor for the home side’s second try and things did not get any better. One of Scotland’s best attacking weapons of her day, but this hasn’t been her championship at all despite a try versus Wales. 

14. Rhona Lloyd – 5

Simply had no ball to play with in attack and was so often stretched by two on ones out wide and opposite number O’Connor caused her a lot of issues. Like Rollie, an experienced head, but a try from England apart not a tournament to remember.

13. Rachel Philipps – 6

Kept going in defence while others around her were falling off tackles left, right and centre which she should be commended for, but so much was coming down her defensive channel it was almost unfair on the 24-year-old.

12. Meryl Smith – 4

Got bounced off in defence by O’Connor in the opening minutes and, soon after, went off for an HIA. She did not return and that was a big blow for a Scotland team already missing a lot of experience.

11. Shona Campbell – 6

Like Philipps inside her, tried to stop the Irish juggernaut as best she could when the Irish attack came down her wing, but could only do so much. It has been a tough tournament for Scotland, but has been good to see her back in the squad after GB Sevens duties.

10. Helen Nelson – 5

The captain never got settled and looked a forlorn figure at times on her 80^th cap as Ireland kept piling on the pressure. Her team had no answers and she needed other leaders to step up in the first half, but not much materialised.

 9. Leia Brebner-Holden – 5

Made a try scoring tackle on Ireland centre Eve Higgins after four minutes, but Ireland did open the scoring soon after. Was often trying to deal with a rampaging Irish back-row while, in attack, was never really getting clean ball.

1. Leah Bartlett – 5

As an experienced loosehead with over 50 international caps, Bartlett tried to use ever trick in the book at scrum time, but nothing worked against Irish tighthead Linda Djougang and the Scottish pack really struggled here.

2. Elis Martin – 5

The scrum really struggled from the early moments of this game and even when Scotland got some crumbs of possession come the 25^th minute, her lineout throw was squint and was penalised. Things did not really improve. 

3. Elliann Clarke – 6 

Is growing into an experienced tighthead and although this was a negative experience she never stopped battling away. As mentioned, Scotland were on the back foot most of the game at scrum time and Clarke felt the brunt of that along with her front-row colleagues.

4. Emma Wassell – 5

The experienced Trailfinder has been vice-captain for the last two matches against France and Ireland and she will be proud of that, but not of the team’s performances. As always, Wassell gave her all, but it was a day she will not want to remember.

5. Louise McMillan – 5

Charged down a kick in the 50^th minute and nearly kicked it on herself and scored a try, but she just overcooked it. Having missed out on Scotland action in 2025, McMillan’s return in this competition has been welcome and her experience could be key as the rebuild continues.

6. Becky Boyd – 5

It was her 22^nd birthday, but she could not mark it with a win and with the Irish back-row led by Aiofe Wafer taking things by the scruff of the neck, Boyd really didn’t have a sniff to be able to make an impact like she had against France.

7. Eva Donaldson – 5

Like Boyd, Donaldson had a good game against France the last time out, but was blown away by the on song Irish back-row. The challenge for Donaldson seems to be translating her Sale Sharks form onto the international arena.

8. Emily Coubrough – 5

Three of the 19-year-old’s first four caps have come at amazing stadiums such as the Principality Stadium, Murrayfield and now the Aviva Stadium and this game will be a big part of her learning curve. Carried much better in the second half.

REPLACEMENTS

16. Aicha Sutcliffe – 5

Came on in the 56^th minute for her second cap and nailed her first lineout throw. Scored her second try in two caps.

17. Demi Swann – 5

Came on in the 56^th minute and brought some energy.

18. Molly Poolman – 4

Only got seven minutes.

19. Hollie Cunningham – 5

Came on with 14 minutes to go and, like Sutcliffe, brought some energy.

20. Holland Bogan – 5

Came on in the 50^th minute and won a turnover five minutes later. Certainly one of the pluses for Scotland in this tournament.

21. Rhea Clarke – 5

Came on in the 50th minute and speeded up ball to the backs.

22. Lucia Scott – 5

Came on after just four minutes when Meryl Smith went off for an HIA.

23. Coreen Grant – 5

Came on in the 56th minute for her first cap in a long time.