Scotland secure historic victory against Wales in round one of the Women's Six Nations
Scotland secured the 20-18 victory against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park to get their 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations underway after a tight contest in the Welsh capital.
It was Scotland’s first win away to Wales in 20 years for the women’s team and their seventh victory in a row.
Scotland’s Coreen Grant scored the only try of the first half for either side before she was joined on the scoresheet by teammate Rhona Lloyd 42 minutes later.
Sisilia Tuipulotu crossed for the first try for the home side in the 58th minute, before Alex Callender scored their second to take them within two points of Scotland. A missed conversion cost them the draw in the dying minutes despite an impressive comeback for the hosts.
Wales started on the front foot, earning themselves a penalty for their attacking efforts, which was duly converted by Keira Bevan to put the home side ahead in the opening five minutes.
The hosts’ lead didn’t remain for long however, as Scotland swiftly replied with a score from an electric break down the wing from Grant after a well-worked lineout provided them the foundations for the score, which was converted by Loughborough Lightning’s Helen Nelson to give them the upper hand on the scoresheet.
With Lana Skeldon on hand to stabilise the ball on the tee in the windy conditions in Cardiff, Nelson then added a penalty to Scotland’s tally to make the score 3-10 after 15 minutes.
Grant went flying on the wing again, combining speed with stunning footwork to rattle the Welsh defence, leaving debutante Jenny Hesketh in the dust before GB Sevens star Jasmine Joyce put in an important tackle to stall the solo Scottish attacker.
The barrage of attack continued, but Bethan Lewis came up trumps to secure a key turnover and provide a moment to reset for Wales.
A few wayward lineouts from the visitors saw Bryan Easson’s side squander further attacking opportunities, but the scoreline remained 3-10 in their favour with half an hour played.
As the final ten minutes of the first half approached, Callender piled on the pressure at multiple breakdowns as Wales began to come into their own, the open-side flanker at the heart of their resurgence before the break.
However, despite the best efforts of the Welsh team, Scotland responded to the threat to deny Ioan Cunningham’s team their closest try-scoring attempt of the match at that point to give themselves a scrum on five metres.
Wales remained camped out in the Scotland 22 for around ten minutes but were unable to convert field position into points until Bevan added a second penalty to bookend the half, which sent the teams into the break 6-10.
Half-time replacement Georgia Evans got stuck in at the start of the second half to contribute to the winning of an early turnover for Wales to give them a boost to start the last 40 minutes, but an overcooked kick from Lleucu George soon put the ball back into Scottish hands.
Eight minutes into the half Emma Orr and Lloyd linked up superbly to inject pace into the Scottish attack from a turnover, with the latter crossing for Scotland’s second try of the match, converted again from the touchline by Nelson to give them an 11-point lead.
A fantastic kick from Lisa Thompson then won the 50-22 for Easson’s side, but possession was returned to the hosts as Alisha Butchers successfully led the battle to win the turnover.
WXV 2 winners Scotland had their defence tested as Wales made their way back into the 22, and the visitors were warned for playing the nine at the breakdown. Tuipulotu then did the damage after continuous attacking phases to provide a well-deserved first Welsh try of the match as she drove over with a pick and go after the penalty which she had taken herself.
Prolific try-scorer Skeldon went down injured in the 61st minute which momentarily paused the match as she received treatment. The hooker managed to walk off the pitch, much to the relief of spectators and players alike, and was replaced by Elis Martin.
Scotland rallied from the injury loss to pile on the pressure with relentless attack, but Wales were equally relentless in preventing the third try.
Despite denying Scotland the try, Wales were then penalised for previously throwing the player across the lineout, which gave the visitors another chance to attack after playing with the advantage.
Scotland worked through the phases again as the Welsh defence stood firm, but Sarah Bonar was the next player to go down injured to deplete the Scottish ranks as she left the field with just over ten minutes remaining.
A Welsh knock-on gave Scotland another opportunity to attack just inside the 22, once again testing the home side’s defence, eventually winning the side in blue the scrum penalty from which they opted to go for the points.
Vice-captain Nelson stepped up to take the kick with six minutes left on the clock, and was once again perfect from the tee as she extended the Scottish lead, the visitors now beginning to look to the historic win.
The victory however hung in the balance as George kicked Wales into the 22 with four and half minutes, searching for a score-levelling seven points.
The red shirts earned themselves a penalty as Scotland strayed offside, and a powerful maul moved them to within metres. Playing with the advantage, George sent the ball skyward with Joyce lurking on the wing, but she was covered by Chloe Rollie. Wales went back for a penalty, which sent Scotland’s Alex Stewart to the bin with a yellow card for entering the ruck at the side.
With a player up, Wales had the lineout five metres out in search of their second try, and looked to make it across the line amidst the chaos. Referee Clara Munarini called on the TMO to check for a double movement, but Callender had done enough to score the important try without infringing on the law.
Gloucester-Hartpury’s George lined up the kick for the match-levelling points, but the ball sailed just wide to provide Scotland with a final lifeline, which would see them survive the last few seconds to attain the victory after the nerve-wracking dying minutes.
It was heartbreak for Wales at the final whistle and elation for Scotland, but additionally, an important wider moment in the sport as competitiveness continues to grow ever stronger as women’s teams move further into their journeys with professionalism.
Scotland go on to face France at home on 30th March, while Wales will regroup to travel across the bridge to Ashton Gate where they’ll meet hosts England on the same day.
Elsewhere in the competition, France had a successful start by securing a 38-17 victory over a much-improved Ireland team.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
5 Go to comments