The 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations got off to an electrifying start at the Hive Stadium in Edinburgh, where Scotland battled their way to a dramatic 24-21 victory over Wales. A match filled with end-to-end action, TMO drama, and standout individual performances set the tone for what promises to be a thrilling tournament.
Fast Start from Wales
With the crowd barely settled, Wales wasted no time asserting their dominance. Within four minutes, they pressured Scotland’s defence with a scrum deep in the 22. A well-executed lineout and swift offload saw hooker Carys Phillips crash over for the opening try. With Keira Bevan slotting the conversion, Wales took an early 7-0 lead.
Scotland responded well, with Francesca McGhie charging into the Welsh 22, only for the visitors to turn the ball over and clear their lines. The early exchanges showcased Scotland’s attacking intent but also Wales’s defensive resilience.
As the game progressed, Scotland grew into the contest. Helen Nelson got the hosts on the scoreboard in the 16th minute, slotting a penalty after a strong defensive effort forced a Welsh infringement. The experienced fly-half, now Scotland’s second all-time leading points scorer, made no mistake.
Scotland 3-7 Wales.
Denied, But Not Defeated
Scotland thought they had their first try in the 23rd minute when Rachel Malcolm powered over, only for the TMO to rule it out for obstruction. Undeterred, the Scots kept up the pressure. Ten minutes later, their persistence paid off. Sarah Bonar bulldozed over the line following relentless Scottish forward play. Nelson’s conversion nudged Scotland ahead for the first time.
Scotland 10-7 Wales.
The momentum shifted further just before halftime when Wales’s Georgia Evans saw yellow for a dangerous tackle, leaving her side a player down.
Scotland Take Control
The second half began in dramatic fashion. Scotland thought they had scored immediately through Lisa Thomson, but for the second time, the TMO ruled out the try for obstruction. However, just minutes later, Emma Orr seized the moment. A brilliant turnover by Thomson and McGhie disrupted Wales’s attack, allowing Orr to gather the loose ball and sprint over the whitewash. Nelson’s conversion extended Scotland’s lead.
Scotland 17-7 Wales.
As tensions rose, so did the physicality. A high tackle review led to a second yellow card for Georgia Evans, reducing Wales to 14 players for the remainder of the match. But the drama wasn’t over. Moments later, Scotland’s Evie Gallagher also saw yellow for a similar challenge, which was later upgraded to a red card—a major blow for the hosts.
Abbie Fleming finishing off a rolling maul to close the gap and score for Wales. Bevan’s conversion made it a three-point game.
Scotland 17-14 Wales.
Scotland Dig Deep
Despite being a player down, Scotland continued to attack. In the 65th minute, Leah Bartlett finished off a stunning break involving Thomson and Orr, pushing Scotland’s lead back to 10 points after another pinpoint Nelson conversion. Scotland 24-14 Wales.
But Wales weren’t finished. In the 71st minute, Gwenllian Pyrs powered over, and Bevan once again added the extras, setting up a nerve-wracking final 10 minutes.
Scotland 24-21 Wales.
A Tense Finale
With just minutes left, Wales pushed for the winning score. A late penalty gave them a prime attacking opportunity, but Scotland’s defence stood firm. As the clock turned red, Scotland looked to the referee before kicking into touch, securing a hard-fought victory.
The Hive erupted. A statement win for Scotland and a perfect start to their Six Nations campaign.
Final Score: Scotland 24-21 Wales
Captain Rachel Malcolm spoke on the teams win saying “I’m thrilled to be on the winning side. I think it’s the first time in a very long time in about 20 years that we’ve gone back to back against Wales.”
She said: “I don’t think it’s the most clinical performance that we may have wanted, and the energy and fight that Wales brought to that game made it extremely difficult for us.”
She spoke on the impact the girls coming off the bench made saying: “they made a huge amount of energy when we really needed it. Adelle Ferrie came on and nailed the line outs.” Speaking on the newly awarded cap playing Adelle Ferrie and Hollie Cunningham, Malcolm said: “Holly’s been phenomenal both on and off the pitch and I think Adelle is definitely a little starstruck to be in this position. I think she would put her hands up and say a couple of months ago, she would never have imaged that this opportunity was round the corner, but
she’s worked incredibly hard.”
Coach Brian Easson said: “I think Wales came out and showed that passion that fire, that new coach bounce that we expected. We were disappointed, however, that we left points out of their first half, we had 62, 63% possession first half and we got in good positions that that we didn’t make the most of.”
Player of the match: VC Helen Nelson
Attendance: 4234
Referee: Kat Roche (USA)
AR1: Jess Ling (Australia)
AR2: Shanda Assmus (Canada)
TMO: Oli Kellet (Australia)
FPRO: Ian Tempest (England)
Scotland
Forwards
Leah Bartlett – Leicester Tigers (38)
Christine Belisle – Loughborough Lightning (40)
Becky Boyd – Loughborough Lightning (uncapped)
Sarah Bonar – Harlequins (42)
Elliann Clarke – Bristol Bears (15)
Hollie Cunningham – Bristol Bears (uncapped)
Evie Gallagher – Bristol Bears (31)
Adelle Ferrie – Edinburgh Rugby/Corstorphine Cougars (uncapped)
Jade Konkel – Harlequins (66)
Rachel Malcolm – captain – Loughborough Lightning (52)
Elis Martin – Loughborough Lightning (15)
Rachel McLachlan – Montpellier (46)
Aila Ronald – Edinburgh Rugby/University of Edinburgh (uncapped)
Molly Poolman – Edinburgh Rugby/Watsonian FC (uncapped)
Lana Skeldon – Bristol Bears (74)
Alex Stewart – Edinburgh Rugby/Corstorphine Cougars (8)
Anne Young – Loughborough Lightning (15)
Molly Wright – Sale Sharks (23)
Backs
Leia Brebner-Holden – Loughborough Lightning (5)
Beth Blacklock – Saracens (3)
Rhea Clarke – Edinburgh Rugby/University of Edinburgh (uncapped)
Rhona Lloyd – Les Lionnes du Stade Bordelais (52)
Caity Mattinson – Trailfinders Women (27)
Francesca McGhie – Leicester Tigers (17)
Liz Musgrove – Trailfinders Women (18)
Helen Nelson – vice-captain – Loughborough Lightning (65)
Rachel Philipps – Sale Sharks – (uncapped)
Chloe Rollie – Trailfinders Women (70)
Lucia Scott – Edinburgh Rugby/Gloucester-Hartpury (3)
Emma Orr – Bristol Bears (24)
Lisa Thomson – Trailfinders Women (64)
Hannah Walker – Edinburgh Rugby/University of Edinburgh (uncapped)
Evie Wills – Leicester Tigers (3)
Meg Varley – Bristol Bears (uncapped)
Wales
15 Jasmine Joyce (Bristol Bears)
14 Lisa Neumann (Harlequins)
13 Hannah Jones (capt, Gloucester-Hartpury)
12 Kayleigh Powell (Harlequins)
11 Carys Cox (Ealing Trailfinders)
10 Lleucu George (Gloucester-Hartpury)
9 Keira Bevan (Bristol Bears);
1 Maisie Davies (Gwalia Lightning)
2 Carys Phillips (Harlequins)
3 Jenni Scoble (Gwalia Lightning)
4 Abbie Fleming (Harlequins)
5 Alaw Pyrs (Gwalia Lightning)
6 Kate Williams (Gloucester-Hartpury)
7 Bethan Lewis (Gloucester-Hartpury)
8 Georgia Evans (Saracens).
Replacements:
16 Kelsey Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury)
17 Gwenllian Pyrs (Sale Sharks)
18 Donna Rose (Saracens)
19 Gwen Crabb (Gloucester-Hartpury)
20 Bryonie King (Gwalia Lightning)
21 Meg Davies (Gloucester-Hartpury)
22 Courtney Keight (Bristol Bears)
23 Nel Metcalfe (Gloucester-Hartpury)
