Scotland women's national rugby union team

Last updated
Scotland
Scottish rugby textlogo.svg
UnionScottish Rugby Union
Head coachBryan Easson
Captain Rachel Malcolm
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Kit body.svg
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First colours
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Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current7 (as of 15 April 2024)
First international
Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 10–0 Ireland  IRFU flag.svg
( Edinburgh, Scotland; 14 February 1993)
Biggest win
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 0–84 Scotland  Flag of Scotland.svg
( Enköping, Sweden; 17 May 2009)
Biggest defeat
Flag of England.svg  England 89–0 Scotland  Flag of Scotland.svg
( Twickenham, England; 13 March 2011)
World Cup
Appearances5 (First in 1994)
Best result5th, 1994

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.

Contents

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

Top 20 rankings as of 6 May 2024 [4]
RankChange*TeamPoints
1Steady2.svgFlag of England.svg  England 096.90
2Steady2.svgFlag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 090.56
3Steady2.svgFlag of France.svg  France 087.27
4Steady2.svgFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 086.27
5Steady2.svgFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 081.61
6Steady2.svgFlag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 075.99
7Steady2.svgFlag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 074.28
8Steady2.svgFlag of Italy.svg  Italy 074.26
9Steady2.svgIRFU flag.svg  Ireland 073.53
10Steady2.svgFlag of the United States.svg  United States 072.57
11Steady2.svgFlag of Japan.svg  Japan 069.38
12Steady2.svgFlag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 065.17
13Steady2.svgFlag of Spain.svg  Spain 065.15
14Steady2.svgFlag of Russia.svg  Russia 061.10
15Steady2.svgFlag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 059.57
16Steady2.svgFlag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 058.98
17Steady2.svgFlag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 058.65
18Steady2.svgFlag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 058.31
19Steady2.svgFlag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 055.97
20Steady2.svgFlag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 052.72
*Change from the previous week

(Full internationals only)
Correct as of 13 October 2023

Rugby: Scotland internationals 1993–
OpponentFirst gamePlayedWonDrawnLostPercentage
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 199930030.00%
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 20091100100.00%
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 1994710614.29%
Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 20221100100.00%
Flag of England.svg  England 19943220306.25%
Flag of France.svg  France 199828512217.86%
IRFU flag.svg  Ireland 1993321701553.13%
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 198822711431.18%
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 2019210150.00%
Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 20061100100.00%
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 1995650183.33%
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 199440040.00%
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 19942200100.00%
Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 20021100100.00%
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 2010530260.00%
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 199723150865.22%
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 19949900100.00%
Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1998610516.67%
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 1993361602044.44%
Summary199322188213139.82%

World Cup

Rugby World Cup
YearRoundPldWDLPFPA
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg 1991 Did not participate
Flag of Scotland.svg 1994 5th place53027242
Flag of the Netherlands.svg 1998 6th place520389141
Flag of Spain.svg 2002 6th place42024153
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg 2006 6th place53026772
Flag of England.svg 2010 8th place510457132
Flag of France.svg 2014 Did not qualify
IRFU flag.svg 2017
Flag of New Zealand.svg 2021 Pool stage30032789
Total5th Place2711016353529
 Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth placeHome venue

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)CapsClub/province
Elis Martin Hooker (1999-05-23)23 May 1999 (aged 24)5 Flag of England.svg Leicester Tigers
Lana Skeldon Hooker (1993-10-18)18 October 1993 (aged 30)65 Flag of England.svg Bristol Bears
Molly Wright Hooker (1991-05-13)13 May 1991 (aged 32)18 Flag of England.svg Sale Sharks
Elliann Clarke Hooker (2001-02-16)16 February 2001 (aged 23)6 Flag of England.svg Bristol Bears
Christine Belisle Prop (1993-11-04)4 November 1993 (aged 30)30 Flag of England.svg Loughborough Lightning
Anne Young Prop (2000-03-17)17 March 2000 (aged 24)10 Flag of England.svg Sale Sharks
Leah Barlett Prop (1998-08-28)28 August 1998 (aged 25)30 Flag of England.svg Leicester Tigers
Lisa Cockburn Prop (1992-12-06)6 December 1992 (aged 31)28 Flag of England.svg Leicester Tigers
Sarah Bonar Lock (1994-02-09)9 February 1994 (aged 30)36 Flag of England.svg Harlequins
Natasha Logan Lock 0 Flag of Scotland.svg University of Edinburgh / Flag of Scotland.svg Edinburgh
Louise McMillan Lock (1997-07-27)27 July 1997 (aged 26)48 Flag of England.svg Bristol Bears
Emma Wassell Lock (1994-12-28)28 December 1994 (aged 29)65 Flag of England.svg Leicester Tigers
Eva Donaldson Back row (2001-07-10)10 July 2001 (aged 22)6 Flag of England.svg Saracens
Evie Gallagher Back row (2000-08-22)22 August 2000 (aged 23)22 Flag of England.svg Bristol Bears
Merryn Gunderson Back row (2003-12-02)2 December 2003 (aged 20)0 Flag of Scotland.svg Corstophine Cougars / Flag of Scotland.svg Edinburgh
Rachel Malcolm (c) Back row (1991-05-23)23 May 1991 (aged 32)42 Flag of Scotland.svg Loughborough Lightning
Rachel McLachlan Back row (1999-02-26)26 February 1999 (aged 25)38 Flag of England.svg Sale Sharks
Alex Stewart Back row (2004-05-28)28 May 2004 (aged 19)0 Flag of Scotland.svg Corstophine Cougars / Flag of Scotland.svg Edinburgh
Leia Brebner-Holden Scrum-half (2002-05-26)26 May 2002 (aged 21)0 Flag of England.svg Gloucester-Hartpury / Flag of England.svg Cheltenham Tigers
Caity Mattinson Scrum-half (1996-05-17)17 May 1996 (aged 27)18 Flag of England.svg Gloucester-Hartpury
Mairi McDonald Scrum-half (1997-11-25)25 November 1997 (aged 26)18 Flag of England.svg Exeter Chiefs
Helen Nelson Fly-half (1994-05-24)24 May 1994 (aged 29)55 Flag of England.svg Loughborough Lightning
Beth Blacklock Centre (1997-11-13)13 November 1997 (aged 26)3 Flag of England.svg Saracens
Emma Orr Centre (2003-04-06)6 April 2003 (aged 20)13 Flag of Scotland.svg Heriot's Blues / Flag of Scotland.svg Edinburgh
Meryl Smith Centre (2001-06-11)11 June 2001 (aged 22)13 Flag of England.svg Bristol Bears
Lisa Thomson Centre (1997-09-07)7 September 1997 (aged 26)55Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 7s
Cieron Bell Wing (2002-06-02)2 June 2002 (aged 21)0 Flag of Scotland.svg University of Edinburgh / Flag of Scotland.svg Edinburgh
Shona Campbell Wing (2001-06-07)7 June 2001 (aged 22)9Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 7s
Nicole Flynn Wing (2005-09-19)19 September 2005 (aged 18)0 Flag of Scotland.svg University of Edinburgh / Flag of Scotland.svg Edinburgh
Coreen Grant Wing (1998-01-30)30 January 1998 (aged 26)7 Flag of England.svg Saracens
Rhona Lloyd Wing (1996-10-17)17 October 1996 (aged 27)46Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 7s / Flag of France.svg Stade Bordelais
Francesca McGhie Wing (2003-05-07)7 May 2003 (aged 20)9 Flag of England.svg Leicester Tigers
Chloe Rollie Fullback (1995-06-26)26 June 1995 (aged 28)61 Flag of England.svg Loughborough Lightning

Notable internationalists

Award winners

The following Scotland players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2001: [8]

Honours

See also

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

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References

  1. Bathgate, Stuart (2018-02-14). "Pioneers celebrate 25th anniversary of first Scotland women's international". The Offside Line. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  2. [ citation needed ]
  3. "The Scottish Thistle – Beautifully Bold!". Scottish at Heart. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  4. "Women's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  5. "Scotland Women extended training squad announced ahead of Guinness Six Nations". Scottish Rugby. 19 February 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  6. Graham, Josh (2024-03-28). "Scotland Women's Six Nations squad 2024 - McMillan to win 50th cap". Rugby World. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  7. "Natasha Logan added to Scotland squad for France clash". BBC Sport. 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  8. "Awards Roll of Honour - World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2024.