Scotland V Wales Preview

What they said:

Scotland Captain Rachel Malcolm said: “It’s always the most exciting time of year for us, and to have what is a new-look squad under a new-look management team, it really feels like the start of a new era.

“I was so impressed with how everyone applied themselves last week. We fit in a huge amount. There was a lot of work in the classroom, in terms of learning new plays and how we want to play. It’s put us in a really good place so that this week we can just start to focus in on Wales and how we want to play come Saturday.

“Both myself and the group have really enjoyed having Sione’s fresh eyes and fresh ideas come into the programme. It’s a challenge for us to take on board everything that he’s brought in, but it’s one that the girls have risen to really well. We’re really happy, but the proof will be in the pudding come the weekend in terms of how much work we’ve put in to gel. The tournament really is about how much we can learn and move forward game on game.

“It’s always a big game against Wales. I think the opportunity to open up the tournament and do that in their national stadium is a pretty exciting opportunity. They’re no doubt going to be up for it so we just need to present ourselves in the best possible state both physically and mentally.”

The Teams:

Fukofuka has handed a debut to Glasgow Warriors’ Emily Coubrough, who starts at eight, with loosehead prop Leah Bartlett being another member of the squad set to make a personal milestone in the form of winning her 50^th Scotland cap.

Leah Bartlett will make her 50^th cap appearance starting at loosehead prop, Ellian Clarke starts at tighthead whilst Lana Skeldon will start between them at hooker.

Hollie Cunningham returns to the squad in the second row alongside Emma Wassell, Captain Rachel Malcolm will lead from blindside flanker, partnered with Alex Stewart. Emily Coubrough makes her debut starting at number eight.

Shona Campbell makes her first appearance for Scotland since 2022 on the left wing, Meryl Smith will also make her return to the squad since facing a knee injury in 2024, starting at inside centre.

Three hopeful debutants will start on the bench with prop Demi Swann, Second row Holland Bogan and Scrum-half Rianna Darroch all looking to gain their first cap.

The stats:

• Scotland have won the last two of their opening Women’s Six Nations fixtures, both being against Wales. The last time the two teams faced each other, Scotland came away the victors after a tight 20-18 victory at Cardiff Arms Park.
• 44% of Wales’ total points scored during last year’s Women’s Six Nations came in the opening 20 minutes of their matches.
• Rachel McLachlan (84) was second last year for the most completed tackles in the 2025 Women’s Six Nations, behind Wales’ Georgia Evans (89).