Scotland stun Wales to win their opening game of the 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations – here are the three key takeaways from the 80 minutes in Cardiff.
- WXV2 Has Given Scotland Confidence To Win
The inception of the WXV tiered competition has been a welcome addition to the women’s game – particularly for Scotland, who have now won their last seven international games, including the defeat of South Africa, USA and Japan in the inaugural competition. The Scottish women looked full of confidence against Wales, and that’s what an opportunity to play other test matches outside the Six Nations tournament and build a winning streak does to a team. Scotland believed they could win today, despite history being firmly against them, and they went and got the job done. You cannot underestimate what momentum and experience does for team morale and cohesion and Scotland have really benefitted from playing – and beating – sides other than Italy and Ireland. - Wales Are Lacking Attacking Ideas
Twice in 80 minutes Wales managed to get the ball into the hands of their backs and make meaningful territory within the game – with the second leading to the try that almost tied them the game. Besides that, they looked short of ideas and spent the majority of the contest pinned in their own half, defending for their lives. The kicking and territorial gains just weren’t there, but they proved that if they can get close, they have the power in the forwards to make it count. To progress in this tournament, they are going to have to work on making meaningful yards with the swift handling and evasion they’re more than capable of, but failed to do today. - The Women’s Six Nations Is As Good As The Men’s
WHAT. A. GAME! Both the Men’s and Under 20s Six Nations saw some enthralling contests, but anything the men can do the women can too. Wales landed a conversion short of drawing with Scotland, and on another day may well have used position from the kick off to get in range of a penalty – or drop goal – to win the game with the final play. as the second half progressed, Scotland threw waves upon waves of attritional phases at the Welsh defence, who somehow managed to hold on, before Wales finished the game in clinical fashion from five metres out. Putting the pressure on through the driving maul and pick-and-go. It really was edge of the seat stuff and we saw nothing to convince us this match was not just as exciting as the men’s!
