Scottish Rugby

Scotland are now viewed as a "genuine threat" following the statement win over Wales in the Women's World Cup opener, says former skipper Lisa Martin.

Having been dogged by player contract uncertainty in the build-up to the tournament, Scotland cast off that turmoil with a 38-8 walloping of Wales.

"There might have been a little bit of that being fuelled by the contract situation, which as frustrating and annoying as it is, that has been taking the headlines pre-match, but is completely a footnote now," said Martin on the BBC's Scottish Rugby Podcast.

"The thing that we're talking about is how well they are able to play and you're hoping the likes of Scottish Rugby can look at that and be like, well, this is the respect we need to be giving these guys.

"The performance they've put out there shows they are worthy of so much better and hopefully it's something that can be rectified going forward and that we never have to have these conversations going into a major tournament that there's uncertainty for about 16 to 18 players as to what they're going to do come October.

"People are starting to take notice of the squad and seeing them as being dangerous threats rather than it's just Scotland, it'll be fine.

"I remember speaking to a few of the England girls a number of years ago and when it always came to the Scotland-England matches, no one was ever really picked out.

"Whereas now, you're looking at threat players and you're saying, well, we need to do something to negate what Francesca McGhie can do. We need to do something that's going to negate Evie Gallagher's ability to win turnovers and stuff.

"People are starting to see Scotland as a genuine threat and a genuine favourite. It's fantastic to see that it's transcended beyond women's sport, it's now sport and people are excited to see Scotland play and see the likes of Francesca and Evie and Chloe Rollie."

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Former Scotland women's captain Lisa Martin says a prospective move to Newcastle Falcons could appeal to Gregor Townsend.

The current Scotland men's head coach's contract expires in April 2026, but he has been linked, external with a move to English club Newcastle Red Bulls to become their director of rugby.

"It's definitely something that you'd think would turn his head a little bit," Martin told the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast.

"It's something different, it goes back to a bit of full-time coaching again for him because in the international set-up, you don't really do much hands-on coaching.

"I suppose you look at Scottish Rugby at the minute, there's just a massive kind of bottleneck in terms of coaching, we've had coaches having to move on elsewhere because there is nowhere else for them to go further up the set-up.

"I think it would be a sensible thing from a wider perspective to maybe encourage Gregor to look at other options but I suppose it's down to him.

"Is he wanting to continue his project with Scotland and try and get the success that we've all been talking about that this generation needs and expects to have?

"Or is it time to cut your losses and say I've done what I can, let's move on and let's see what can I do with a brand new project and create a new legacy within Newcastle Red Bulls?"

With the next edition of the men's Rugby World Cup taking place in 2027, BBC Scotland chief sportswriter Tom English believes Townsend may want another crack at that competition before he moves on.

"He can't stay forever," English added. "I think the SRU were planning that he was going to stay until the World Cup and then there'll be a parting.

"But Newcastle is a very interesting project and if he is on the list, I could see why that might have appeal.

"It's a brand new trainset. It's a fantastic opportunity day-to-day at a club with low expectations but big budget. That would appeal to most coaches.

"But Townsend has said constantly his love of this job. This is not only a job to him, it's a kind of way of life."

Image source, PA Media

Scotland head coach Brian Easson says his side made Wales "look pretty ordinary" in their opening Women's World Cup win.

The Scots won 38-8, with Fran McGhie scoring three of the Scots' six tries.

"We were ruthless all the way through," Easson said on BBC One. "We were pretty dangerous and defensively we made Wales look pretty ordinary.

"Once we got our kicking game right, I thought we managed the game pretty well and then there was only one team in it.

"The togetherness of this group is unbelievable. I know people talk about cultures and environments, I've never been in an environment like it. They are so tight together and they fight together.

"We knew the magnitude of this game, this was a big one. The focus was firmly on Wales, the focus as of now is on Fiji."

We asked for your views on Scotland's 38-8 victory over Wales in their Women's World Cup opener, where Fran McGhie scored three of the Scots' six tries.

Here's what some of you said:

Bob: Brian Easson deserves a huge amount of credit for the way he has built the squad. I remember him as the SRU development coach for the Highlands, he was outstanding in that role. I just hope the SRU are not stupid enough to lose him.

Kenny: An excellent team performance but let's not get carried away. Wales turned us over a couple of times and the breakdown a danger area. But the attack is sharp. Lets go Scotland!

Chris: Fran McGhie looked like the complete player. Her hat-trick was brilliant. She needed to really work for the first one, showing her dancing feet to beat several defenders. Likewise her try-saving tackles were phenomenal! I was roaring at the TV in celebration when she ran back to scythe down the Welsh runners.

Mark: For any Scottish Rugby enthusiast the women's team has become a must watch in the sporting calendar. I thought the defence and attacking intent was immense. A strong squad camaraderie is also clearly evident. Here's hoping the win will attract even more fans and help springboard them into the quarter finals.

Jane: Possibly one of the best performances I've seen the women produce. The bonus is there are still areas to improve. Rachel Malcolm's leadership is outstanding. Cannot wait to watch them done in Manchester next weekend!

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland in Salford

Image source, PA Media

Rachel Malcolm says Scotland's six-try demolition of Wales in their Women's Rugby World Cup opener is one of her greatest days as national captain.

Malcolm led her country for the 50th time and was part of an outstanding Scottish performance that made a mockery of pre-match predictions of a tight affair.

"It's probably up there with one of the best performances, let alone scorelines that I've been a part of as captain, as part of the squad," Malcolm told BBC Scotland.

"I think we were just extremely efficient and professional and there's a bit of an inevitability about everything that we did. It just makes me so proud of the group and how hard they've worked for that performance.

"There's nothing that can break this group. It's what our X-factor is, it's just how together we are as a group. Whether it's on-pitch, off-pitch, we'll always stick together and fight for each other..

"That's what makes results like that so special to be a part of because we know what we have and what we have is so special."

Scotland have beaten Wales 38-8 in their Women's World Cup opener.

Fran McGhie scored three of the Scots' six tries and they face Fiji next in Pool B.

Who impressed you? How far can Scotland go in the tournament?

Send us your thoughts

Image source, PA Media

Scotland captain Lisa Martin on BBC Radio Wales

It's the ability of the backs to get the ball into the hands, and creating problems for Wales' backline.

You give Fran McGhie a one-on-one like that and it's always going to end in a try.

BBC Scotland rugby reporter Andy Burke

Scotland's potency lies in their back three and it was demonstrated perfectly with that [fourth] try.

Rhona Lloyd came off her wing and into the line, drew in the defence with some near footwork then timed her pass to Fran McGhie to perfection.

There was still a bit to do, but as we have seen since she arrived in Test rugby, McGhie knows her way to the try line.

Former Wales wing Caryl James on BBC Radio Cymru

Scotland were fantastic, they knew exactly what they wanted to do. Even though they've struggled off the field, they didn't show it on the pitch.

It looks like what's happened off the pitch motivated them and they put in a heroic performance.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Bryan Easson believes his team now possess the necessary experience to make an impact at the Women's Rugby World Cup after some painful lessons at the last tournament in 2021.

Narrow defeats to Wales and Australia led to the Scots' exit at the pool stage three years ago.

Scotland and Wales renew rivalries in the Pool B opener in Salford on Saturday, and Easson thinks his group is more equipped to deal with the pressure of World Cup rugby.

"I think probably for us there was a lot of frustration at the last World Cup," Easson said.

"We didn't perform at the level we wanted to with two really close games against Wales and Australia, which was really frustrating.

"We probably didn't have the experience then to be able to get us through. A lot of the selection this weekend has been around that experience, to be able to lean on the experience of that team, lean on the leadership group.

"Rachel (Malcolm) and her leadership group have been exceptional the whole week, just keeping everybody's feet on the ground, make sure we're simmering and we'd then hope that that experience when they're on the pitch can make decisions when the pressure comes on, because undoubtedly there's going to be pressure.

"We understand the magnitude of the game and to have those experience heads on the pitch during that time hopefully will just bring us through."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Scrum-half Caity Mattinson says Scotland will have to match the physicality and "niggle" of Wales if they are to get their Women's Rugby World Cup campaign off to a winning start.

The sides meet in the Pool B opener at the Salford Community Stadium on Saturday.

Mattinson hopes the Scots can avenge the 18-15 loss to Wales that contributed to their pool-stage exit at the last World Cup in 2021.

"There's definitely added excitement with it being a repeat of our opening in the 2021 World Cup," Mattinson said.

"There's no shying away from how big a game this is on Saturday. We've spoken massively about a fast start.

"I think we match their physicality. Wales are always a physical side that always is a niggle to it, and we have to be ready for that and raise it.

"We've been through a lot together over the last four years as a squad, and I don't believe there's a squad that cares more about each other in this World Cup than how we feel about each other as a team.

"It probably won't ever look the same again, this group of players will probably not play together again, and we'll absolutely make the most of fighting for one another every step of the way."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Scotland full-back Chloe Rollie says the uncertainty about player contracts has brought the squad closer together as they prepare for Saturday's Women's Rugby Cup opener against Wales.

Disagreements between the squad and Scottish Rugby have played out publicly leading up to the tournament, with Scotland wing Rhona Lloyd claiming over half the 32-player squad will be left without deals after the tournament.

The row has overshadowed much of the World Cup build-up, but Rollie says the team will not allow any off-field issues to affect their performances.

"I think we've had all those discussions that we needed to have about contracts," Rollie said.

"As soon as we got here it's not been something we spoke about, we've kind of taken it on our heads and just decided that's done, that's it.

"We're here now to focus on a World Cup. It's the biggest part of our careers so far and some girls' first World Cup, some girls' maybe last World Cup.

"There's so many variables around it that we just need to leave it and just get on with what we're here to do now.

"We've kind of just pulled together even stronger and looking ahead to each weekend as it comes, just focussing on what we need to do in the moment rather than what's passed and what's to come."