Report: Scotland Women v England
18 Apr 2026Scotland were on the receiving end of a 12 tries to one defeat by ruthless and relentless England at Scottish Gas Murrayfield in round two of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations Championship this afternoon.
England, number one side in the world, having won now their last 35 tests, the last seven Six Nations competitions and as reigning Rugby World Cup champions, were, no great surprise, today’s winners. Their combination of power, pace and guile proved utterly irresistible and shows the mountain their Six Nations rivals still have to climb.
But Scotland kept at it and it was, unquestionably, a day to celebrate, the growth of women’s rugby and, indeed, women’s sport.
A record attendance for a stand-alone women’s sporting fixture in Scotland was achieved, some 30,498 supporters, eclipsing the previous mark set by the Scotland Women’s football team of 18,555 when Jamaica were the opposition at Hampden Park in 2019.
Maud Muir led out both teams to mark her 50th cap for England and the crowd were in exuberant mood for the anthems.
Scotland kicked off towards the South Stand through Helen Nelson and from the first lineout taken by captain Rachel Malcolm, Lana Skeldon sent Emily Coubrough thundering deep into the English 22. A knock-on at the breakdown, however, gave England the first scrum feed.
There Scotland were awarded a free kick but from the tap penalty, Elliann Clarke was held up over the try line.
England pressed off a glorious 50:22 but even Murrayfield’s ginormous in-goal area couldn’t contain the kick ahead of Zoe Harrison.
A try for the visitors was not long delayed as Elli Kildunne was released up the West Stand touchline and escaped from Rhona Lloyd’s tackle to blaze home. Zoe Harrison, whose goal-kicking was impeccable throughout, landed a fine conversion from close to the touchline (0-7, 7 mins).
Kildunne was almost away again, from lineout possession in centre field – after Helen Nelson had misjudged a touch-finder – but not to be on that occasion.
England built on their lead as from lineout ball Sadia Kabeya threatened before uncorking the explosive Megan Jones who dotted down. Harrison converted (0-14, 13 mins).
Rianna Darroch became Scotland cap number 252 as she was introduced for Leia Brebner-Holden who departed for an HIA.
Into the second quarter and Meryl Smith found a decent nudge to give Scotland some territory, but it was only a brief breather, as England, looked menacing on either flank, and Kildunne was duly released for her second try. Harrison converted. (0-21, 23 mins).
England also showed they could take the direct route as from a series of one-pass/contact, prop Kelsey Clifford bulldozed over. Harrison converted (0-28, 31 mins).
Just before the interval Scotland opened their account. From a beautifully flighted chip into space from Nelson, Chloe Rollie gathered and sent Rhona Lloyd sprinting clear for her 30th try for Scotland. Nelson converted (7-28, 35 mins).
Muir marked her half-century, though, by igniting England’s fifth try riposte. She was ultimately hauled down by the gutsy Brebner-Holden, but the damage had been done and as England moved ball right Emma Sing struck the right note. Harrison maintained her 100% record (7-35, 38 mins).
Half-time: Scotland 7 England 35.
Scotland made a promising start to the second-half but could not break out from their own half. They lost Evie Wills with an arm injury to be replaced by Lucia Scott.
England added three more tries in the third quarter through front-row forwards Cokayne and substitute prop Sarah Bern (2), all goaled by Harrison
In the final quarter, Marlie Packer, Kabeya, Mia Venner and Haineala Lutui added tries nine, ten 11 and 12, while Harrison remained “dead-eye Deborah”, with 24 points in total.
Full-time: Scotland 7 England 84
Scotland: Chloe Rollie (Toulon Provence Mediterranee) ; Rhona Lloyd, Evie Wills (both Sale Sharks), Meryl Smith (Bristol Bears), Shona Campbell (Sale Sharks); Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden (both Loughborough Lightning); Leah Bartlett (Sale Sharks), Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke (both Bristol Bears), Emma Wassell (Trailfinders Women), Hollie Cunningham (Bristol Bears), Rachel Malcolm (Trailfinders Women) CAPTAIN, Alex Stewart (Edinburgh Rugby), Emily Coubrough (Glasgow Warriors).
Subs: Elis Martin (Loughborough Lightning) for Coubrough (60 mins), Demi Swan (Exeter Chiefs) for Bartlett (57 mins), Molly Poolman (Edinburgh Rugby) for Clarke (57 mins), Holland Bogan (Glasgow Warriors) for Cunningham (46 mins), Rachel McLachlan (Montpellier) for Stewart (46 mins), Rianna Darroch (Glasgow Warriors) for Brebner-Holden (14-25 mins) and for Lloyd (61 mins) Lucia Scott (Loughborough Lightning) for Wills (43 mins) and Francesca McGhie (Trailfinders Women) for Campbell (46 mins)
England: Emma Sing; Jess Breach, Megan Jones CAPTAIN, Helen Rowland, Elli Kildunne; Zoe Harrison, Lucy Parker; Kelsey Clifford, Amy Cokayne, Maud Muir, Ali Burton, Lilli Ives Campion, Demelza Short, Sadia Kabeya, Maddie Feaunati.
Subs: Connie Powell for Cokayne (51 mins), Mackenzie Carson for Clifford (51 mins), Sarah Bern for Muir (51 mins), Haineala Lutui for Ives Campion (57 mins), Marlie Packer for Short (57 mins), Flo Robinson for Packer (63 mins), Holly Aitchison for Rowland (61 mins), Mia Venner for Kildunne (61mins)
Referee : Zoe Naude (South Africa). Assistant referees: Clara Munarini (Italy) and Bernice Loubet (France). TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa). Foul Play Review Officer: Stefano Penne (Italy).
Attendance: 30,498
Guinness Player of the Match: Maddie Feaunati (England)
