Scotland Women

The Scotland women’s rugby team has made significant strides on the international stage. Known for their tenacity and skill, the Scottish team competes in the sport’s premier tournaments. Their key achievements include a fifth-place finish at the Rugby World Cup and a Home Nations Grand Slam in 1998.

Scotland took part in their first Rugby World Cup in 1994. This debut performance was a momentous occasion for the Scotland women’s rugby team. Aside from being their first ever RWC, it was also their first time hosting and their greatest result. 

Their campaign started with two clean sheets: one for and one against. They beat Russia 51-0 and then lost to England 0-26. Their victory against Russia sealed their place in the quarter-finals. After another point-less loss (0-8 against Wales), Scotland progressed to the shield semi-finals.

First, they beat Ireland 10-3. Next, in the final, they beat Canada 11-5. This result earned Scotland fifth place, an impressive result that remains their best to date.

In the tournaments since, Scotland have never managed to replicate their debut success. Their RWC record comprises three sixth-place results (1998, 2002, 2006), one eighth-place (2010) and one quarter-final appearance (2025).  In addition, after not participating at the inaugural tournament in 1991, the Scots did not qualify for the 2014 or 2017 Rugby World Cups. Finally, in 2022, they made their comeback at the delayed 2021 RWC. Sadly, it was a less than euphoric result. Scotland lost all three of their pool-stage matches and finished at the bottom of their group.

Women’s rugby has a long history in Scotland. The first documented games were held in 1881, when teams played a version of ‘exhibition football.’ These early matches sparked outrage and brawls led to several games being abandoned.

Over the next century, attitudes changed and the sport grew in popularity. In 1993, the newly-formed Scotland women’s rugby team played their first test. They met Ireland at Raeburn Place in Edinburgh, where they defeated their opponents 10-0. 

This first result set a precedent and the Scots produced a string of exceptional performances during the 1990s. This included their first and only Home Nations (now known as the Six Nations) win. After finishing as the runners-up in the first two Home Nations, Scotland stepped it up a gear in 1998. They won all three of their matches, winning the Championship title and claiming their sole Grand Slam.

As a skilled and determined side, the Scotland women’s rugby squad has featured several exceptional players. One of the most revered is Donna Kennedy. The number 8 made history by becoming the first Scottish rugby player, male or female, to achieve 100 caps. In total, her career spanned 115 caps, a figure that makes her the most-capped Scottish player of all time.

Following in her footsteps, the current lineup contains giants of the game. Among them are hooker Lana Skeldon, lock Emma Wassell, fullback Chloe Rollie, fly-half Helen Nelson and centre Lisa Thomson.