U18 Six Nations Festival 2025 | Scotland Women U18 Day One

Lindsey Smith

“I thought it was a good first day for us. Against Wales we competed a great deal better than we did in our hit-out against them a couple of weeks ago. I think our line-out was a big strength of ours both in attack and defence, we were able to apply quite a bit of pressure on the Welsh line-out which was great.

“I thought we moved the ball really well at times when we had it, but there were just a few decisions that maybe just weren’t quite right but that’s why opportunities to play in a festival like this, to learn about game management are so important for development. In terms of our physicality on both sides of the ball I thought we were really strong.

“France are such a physical team and they can really move the ball but some of our players defensive efforts really stood out and I thought our back three across both games were really brave. Bethan Mathieson, Lucy Giles and Scarlet Haddow all worked incredibly hard and definitely made some try saving tackles.

“The energy and effort in that French game was massive. France really tested and challenged us. Whilst the scoreline was heavy, it was most players first taste of international rugby so it’s s steep learning curve.

“All in all, it was a really good day one and we have definitely got some areas to work on before day two.”

Match Overviews

Scotland delivered a spirited performance against the Welsh in their first match of the U18 Six Nations Festival, but were defeated 7-21.

Wales scored a converted try early in the match, with a second try denied after the match officials flagged a forward pass.

As the 10^th minute of play broke, fly-half Poppy Mellanby turned on the jets for Scotland’s attack, breaking through countless defenders to take play deep into the Welsh 22. With Dunfermline speedster Bethan Mathieson on her heels, Mellanby was able to see away the pass for Mathieson to score. Mellanby equalised the score with a conversion.

Scotland were forced to defend for great periods of the game, with Ailsa Merryweather of Hull Ionians holding the Welsh up over the line, followed by Mellanby, who held up a second.

Wales scored two further tries in the last 10 minutes of the game.

Full-time: Scotland 7 – 21 Wales

A physical performance from France saw Scotland dominated in their second match of the day, winning 55-0.

The French had placed 43 points to nil over Wales earlier in the day, so team was under no illusion of the challenge they would face.

Whilst the French received multiple penalties at the scrum Scotland were not able to quite capitalise on their mistakes. Small infringements in attack such as knock-ons, as a result of a speedy French defence kept the pressure on the young Scots.

This forced Scotland to defend for the majority of the match in hot conditions at Wellington, but their determination never wavered. Josie Foubister, Bethan Mathieson and Lucy Giles were often on the end of try-saving tackles down the wing.

Full-time: France 55 – 0 Scotland