Scotland 24 Wales 21

If Sean Lynn is to restore the feel-good factor to Welsh rugby with his winning pedigree, it will clearly take time. His tenure began with an opening round Women’s Six Nations defeat by a well-oiled Scotland side who were slicker in greasy conditions, but on this evidence there are greater days to come.

Wales looked like a side who had spent only six days together and with so many of their personnel being involved in last week’s Premiership Women’s Rugby final, the short turnaround told. Their high-energy performance was reflective of the life Lynn has already breathed into this side, even if they could not get over the finish line.

The visitors spent most of a scrappy second half, threatening to claw back a 12-point deficit, and when Gwen Prys crashed over late on to make it a three-point game an upset looked on the cards, but Scottish resilience prevailed.

The match as heavily disrupted by numerous visits to the Television Match Official – Scotland had two tries chalked off either side of the break and both No 8s received red cards – but, on a drizzly Edinburgh evening, the hosts’ spirits would not be dampened.

Lynn is an opportunities man and he is wasting little time in blooding raw talent in his front five. Maisie Davies and Alaw Pyrs have been standout performers for Gwalia Lightning in the Celtic Challenge this season and the pair of 19-year-olds personify the green shoots emerging from this Welsh outfit.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day and I’ve only been in for three, four sessions,” reflected Lynn. “There are a lot of positives and I can see where the future family is coming from. We’re in a good place. The attitude the girls showed – you can’t coach that. The fight and resilience they showed – that’s what I want from this group. There were tears in the huddles afterwards and that’s because they care.”

While the squad he inherited is full of fine individual operators, as a collective, Wales have never reached their full potential, and the well-documented struggles of last year’s contract negotiations seem to have already driven a culture change. For the first time, the Wales Rugby Union housed the women in the same luxurious Edinburgh hotel as Wales men, in a development praised by captain Hannah Jones. That positivity translated on to the pitch – lock Abbie Fleming was particularly immense – and even if Kayleigh Powell’s midfield axis alongside captain Jones needs further road-testing, the building blocks are there, despite their discipline being found wanting.

Teen sensation Davies played a hand in crunching a Scottish scrum early on, which led to Carys Phillips striking from close range and Wales spent much of a high-octane first half getting joy from the turnover. However, Scotland’s experience and togetherness told.

After weathering an early Welsh storm, they responded through Sarah Bonar, before kicking on after the break as their midfield exploded into life. Emma Orr and Lisa Thomson’s midfield partnership proved the attacking platform – Orr glided over after Powell fluffed a kick – while Thomson was an constant running threat.

Scotland finally have their first try of the championship through Sarah Bonar! 🙌#BBCRugby#SixNationspic.twitter.com/49PiMOX3Y4

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 22, 2025

“I’m incredibly proud and I think this shows the growth of the team since I’ve been involved,” said Rachel Malcolm, the Scotland captain. “We’ve been on the wrong side of so many narrow defeats but now we’re able to move past those moments and put together a very mature performance.”

It proved a busy afternoon for referee Kat Roche, who dished out two yellow cards to Georgia Evans and operated well under pressure from the TMO. The Saracen had only been back on the pitch a matter of minutes before she was penalised for a high tackle on Chloe Rollie, which led to her permanent removal, although with neither yellow upgraded to a red, Wales were allowed to finish the match with a full complement of players.

“The referee announced on the mic that it was red, and then the next thing I knew they had 15 on the pitch,” said Bryan Easson, the Scotland head coach, who lamented the stop-start nature of the match. “We’ll be asking about that. It was confusing.”

Easson also plans to appeal Evie Gallagher’s red card for a dangerous clean-out on Kelsey Jones, which he described as a “rugby incident” similar to the one involving Antoine Dupont and Andrew Porter in the men’s championship a fortnight ago. It left the French playmaker with a serious knee injury. Jones was unharmed, but it was enough for Roche to give the Bristol player her marching orders.

These teams next meet in the pool stages at this year’s World Cup, by which time Wales might have found that new coach bounce. Next week, they welcome England to the Principality Stadium.

Emma Orr quickest to react and Scotland have another try! 💪#BBCRugby#SixNationspic.twitter.com/A3n6ZROfix

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 22, 2025

Match details
Scores 0-5 Phillips try, 0-7 Bevan con, 3-7 Nelson pen, 8-7 Bonar try, 10-7 Nelson con, 15-7 Orr try, 17-7 Nelson con, 17-12 Fleming try, 17-14 Bevan con, 22-14 Bartlett try, 24-14 Nelson con, 24-19 Pyrs try, 24-21 Bevan con.

Scotland: C Rollie; R Lloyd, E Orr, L Thompson, F McGhie; H Nelson, L Brebner-Holden (C Mattinson 48); A Young (E Martin 52), L Skeldon (L Bartlett 52), E Clarke (C Belisle 52), H Cunningham (A Ferrie 75), S Bonar, R Malcolm, R McLachlan (J Konkel 52), E Gallagher.
Sent off: Gallagher.
Replacements not used: A Stewart, E Wills.

Wales: J Joyce; L Neumann, H Jones (C Keight 69), K Powell, C Cox (N Metcalfe 74); L George, K Bevan; M Davies (G Pyrs 51), C Phillips (K Jones 51), J Scoble (D Rose 41), A Fleming, A Pyrs (B King 62), K Williams, B Lewis, G Evans (G Crabb 73).
Booked: Evans. Sent off: Evans.
Replacements not used: M Davies.

Referee: Kat Roche
Attendance: 4,234

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France survive red card to sink Irish

By Press Association

France held off a second-half Ireland fightback to claim a 27-15 victory in the opening match of the Women’s Six Nations in Belfast.

The visitors led 17-5 at the interval following converted tries from Gabrielle Vernier and Marine Ménager but a 45th-minute red card for the former gave Ireland a way back into the contest at Kingspan Stadium.

Ireland quickly made their numerical advantage count as Neve Jones and Aoife Wafer – with her second try of the match – helped reduce the deficit to 17-15, but that was as close as the hosts would get and Emilie Boulard’s late score ultimately handed France victory.

In the battle between the teams who finished second and third behind champions England last year, runners-up France made their early pressure count when centre Vernier celebrated her 50th cap by barging over from close range.

France doubled their advantage when Morgane Bourgeois unselfishly slipped in Menager to help make it 14-0 but Ireland got on the scoreboard when Wafer powered over in the 21st minute.

A Bourgeois penalty extended Les Bleues’ lead further before the break but the second-half dismissal of Vernier, who had a yellow card upgraded to red for head contact on Eve Higgins, was capitalised on by Ireland as Jones’s try following a rolling maul cut the deficit to seven.

Ireland set up a grandstand finish as Wafer punished France in the corner for her second try of the match, but a late Bourgeois penalty and Boulard’s try ended the home side’s hopes.

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07:12 PM GMT

Thanks for joining us

That brings our live coverage of Scotland’s victory over Wales on the opening weekend of the Women’s Six Nations to an end. Thanks for joining us!  

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07:08 PM GMT

‘Super proud of this group’ says Lynn

Wales head coach Sean Lynntells BBC One: “The positives from that game was the passion, the energy, everything about the girls.

“I asked for it and they delivered on that front. The big message I said to the girls was belief, and have that belief.

“The proudest part for me there was we still had that belief, we were still in the game when they went 12 points up and Georgia went into the bin. I’m super proud of this group, look I’ve only been with the group for one week, there’s some real real big steps forward we can take with them.

“We’re going to have to [tighten up on tackles], full credit to Scotland, I thought in that first-half they kept the ball really well, they were making some line-breaks.

“That [missed tackles] is something we really need to be looking at if we want to be competitors at the top of the table in the Six Nations, and especially moving into the World Cup. Our defence and especially the tackling side of it is something we need to be looking at”

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07:05 PM GMT

Former Wales skipper ‘proud’ of performance

Speaking on BBC, former Wales captain Siwan Lillicrap said: “I think we have to remember Sean Lynn has only been in this week, it’s a new team, it’s a new way they’re going to play.

“I’m exceptionally proud of the girls, if you look back to just before WXV in October, Scotland scored 40 points against Wales, that’s the biggest defeat Wales have had against Scotland, so to come within three today is showing glimpses of where we can be.”

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07:03 PM GMT

WATCH: Full-time whistle brings Scottish win

Joy for Scotland as they hold on to beat Wales! 👏#BBCRugby#SixNationspic.twitter.com/jjy5QiYrGt

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 22, 2025

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07:00 PM GMT

‘Speed of ball promising ahead of World Cup’, says McCormack

Speaking on BBC, former Scotland lock Deborah McCormack said: “You can see the intent is there for Scotland, even if the weather didn’t help.

“The promising thing building towards the World Cup in the summer and the rest of this championship is having the speed of ball, really pushing themselves with those passes and getting across the gain line, which they were trying today.”

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06:58 PM GMT

‘Game management was crucial’, says Malcolm

Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm tells BBC Sport: “We knew they would bring a huge amount of energy which they did.

“We said at half-time we needed to up it and our game management at the end there was crucial.

“Our breakdown today was not what it needs to be. Wales are probably one of the best sides [in that area], but we need to be a bit quicker. Breakdown is the biggest thing because we showed today how dangerous we can be when we get it right.”

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06:55 PM GMT

Winning start

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06:52 PM GMT

‘A tough watch’, says Wassell

Speaking on BBC, Scotland international Emma Wassell said: “That was a tough watch at times. The conditions in the second half were tough to manage.

“We know Scotland can win games with their defence, I think it was vitally important this match that we could show what we can do in attack.”

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06:50 PM GMT

Nelson ‘proud’ of Scotland

Scotland fly-half Helen Nelson tells BBC Sport: “It probably wasn’t the prettiest performance, just proud of the girls to front up in those conditions and get the win.

“We take great pride in our kick chase so we looked to kick more and play a territory game.

“We knew they were going to come at us so we can take great confidence from that for the rest of the Six Nations and the World Cup.”

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06:47 PM GMT

Another tight game in this rivalry

Seven of the last eight Six Nations matches between the sides have now been decided by margins of seven points or fewer.

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06:45 PM GMT

Scotland level with France

Following France’s victory over Ireland earlier today, Scotland now join the French at the top of the standings on four points.

England will look to go level or ahead of the pair tomorrow as they begin their title defence with a home tie against Italy.  

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06:41 PM GMT

Full time: Scotland 24 Wales 21

With the clock ticking into the red, Scotland can hoof the ball into touch following the line-out and they have secured back-to-back victories over Wales for the first time in 20 years with a tight, hard-fought win in Edinburgh.

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06:39 PM GMT

80 mins: Scotland 24 Wales 21

Williams forces the penalty at the breakdown and Joyce’s kick into touch takes Wales into the Scottish half. The line-out isn’t straight though and Scotland now have the line-out instead.

The hosts knock it on but it doesn’t matter as they had the advantage with Wales going into the line-out from the side. There is less than a minute on the clock now.

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06:35 PM GMT

TRY! Scotland 24 Wales 21 (Pyrs)

Scotland are restored to the full 15 ahead of the line-out in the corner with the 20 minutes up since Gallagher’s dismissal but it doesn’t matter as Wales cross for their third try of the day! 

After a number of attacking phases, with a series of pick and goes, it’s Pyrs who spins and bundles over to take Wales back within touching distance.

Benan converts and the gap is back to three.

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06:33 PM GMT

74 mins: Scotland 22 Wales 14

Wales work it well from the scrum but Powell comes up just inches short of the line with Martin making a superb try-saving challenge.

The move breaks down but Wales have the advantage and can kick for the corner.

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06:31 PM GMT

71 mins: Scotland 22 Wales 14

Scotland knock it on just ahead of their own 22 and Wales have the scrum as they are restored to their full 15 with the 20 minutes up since Evans’ dismissal. Can they make this position count with the extra player? 

Benan goes for the box kick well into the Welsh 22 and it’s a costly spill from Thomson as she gifts Wales the scrum about 10 metres out.  

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06:26 PM GMT

Busy afternoon for the officials

It’s been a busy afternoon for referee Kat Roche. It seemed a but pointless to announce to the stadium that Georgia Evans’ second yellow would not be upgraded - her removal was permanent anyway - but I guess there’s formalities to follow. 

With Evie Gallagher’s yellow being upgraded to a red you wonder whether Wales can swing the momentum back their way. The rain is falling heavily now and we’re seeing more dropped balls in the greasy conditions.

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06:25 PM GMT

TRY! Scotland 22 (Bartlett) Wales 14

Scotland come forward and Orr looks set to cross as she makes a line-breaking run through the Welsh defence but she is tackled at the final moment.

Scotland are quick to provide support though and the ball is worked to Bartlett who makes the pick and drive to cross and increase Scotland’s advantage once again.

Nelson converts from under the posts and the lead is up to eight!

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06:21 PM GMT

62 mins: Scotland 17 Wales 14

Scotland come forward dangerously, but as the ball is shifted inside, Belisle spills it and the rain is really starting to play its part now. 

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06:17 PM GMT

RED CARD! Scotland 17 (Gallagher) Wales 14

Wales win the foul at the scrum and they can kick themselves clear from in front of their try-line. Nelson’s high kick back down the field is spilt though and the hosts have the scrum.

But first, there is a decision on the second bunker review and Gallagher’s yellow will be upgraded to a red card due to a high degree of danger. 

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06:14 PM GMT

59 mins: Scotland 17 Wales 14

Scotland win the foul at the breakdown and can kick into touch down their right as they look for an instant response.

But first, the bunker review is in for Evans’ high tackle and it will remain as a yellow due to a low degree of danger. But it was her second yellow so Wales will remain down to 14.

Scotland can then take their line-out and they maul well towards the line but the ball slips loose and Wales have the scrum. Big cheers from the Welsh defence.

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06:10 PM GMT

TRY! Scotland 17 Wales 14 (Fleming)

With both sides now down to 14, Wales maul strongly following the line-out down the right and Fleming, who has been excellent today, peels away at the final moment to cross for Wales’ second try of the day.

Benan converts confidently from out wide on the right and the gap is back to three points. 

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06:08 PM GMT

Yellow card! Scotland 17 (Gallagher) Wales 7

Scotland are penalised in the breakdown and Wales can kick for the corner down their right. 

Before the line-out though, there is a TMO check for a dangerous clear-out by Gallagher on Jones and replays show she lowered her weight onto the leg of the Welsh replacement in the breakdown.

The decision is yellow and it could be upgraded to a red. 

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06:06 PM GMT

Red card a suckerpunch for Wales

That’s a real suckerpunch for Wales. Georgia Evans had been her side’s highest tackler and had only been on the field a matter of minutes since returning from her yellow card - I think four to be precise - before her high hit on Rollie, which might cost Wales the match. 

She looked the picture of disappointment as she traipsed off the pitch, before glancing up at the Wales coaching box and raising her hand in apology. 

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06:05 PM GMT

52 mins: Scotland 10 Wales 7

Despite being down to 14, Wales can mount a dangerous attack and Benan makes a dart for the line but she is held up by Scotland who retain their 10-point lead. 

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06:03 PM GMT

RED CARD! Scotland 17 Wales 7 (Evans)

McGhie spills George’s spiral kick forward and Wales have the scrum just outside of the Scottish 22. A tough one to claim for the Scottish winger with the rain continuing to come down. 

Newmann goes for the grubber kick and chase down the line but Rollie can sweep up well before Evans goes high into the tackle on the full-back, just after coming back on from the sin bin.

There is a TMO check and it’s a simple one as Evans is given a second yellow, and consequently a red. It will go to the bunker over whether the challenge was a red-card offence in itself.  

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05:57 PM GMT

TRY! Scotland 17 (Orr) Wales 7

Scotland have their second try and surely this one will stand! Wales spill the ball as they come forward and Thomson can hack the ball downfield. 

McGhie shows superb pace to chase down the kick apply the pressure as Newmann gathers the ball inside her own 22 and the pressure pays off as the ball squirms out of the breakdown.

Orr is the quickest to react as she scoops the ball and darts for the line down the left. Nelson converts and Scotland’s lead is up to 10 points.

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05:53 PM GMT

42 mins: Scotland 10 Wales 7

What a start to the second half from Scotland. The move it swiftly inside following the line-out from the right before Gallagher bursts through the Welsh defence to go within five or ten metres. 

She manages to offload it before Thomson eventually forces it over to score a second try. 

There is a TMO check though over whether McLachlan obstructed the Welsh defence and replays show she did block Powell from making the tackle on Gallagher so the try is ruled out.

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05:49 PM GMT

41 mins: Scotland 10 Wales 7

The rain is starting to pour down at the Hive now as the second half gets underway, with Scotland kicking off proceedings going from right to left. 

A reminder that Wales will be down to 14 at the start of this half following Evans’ yellow card just before the break. 

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05:45 PM GMT

‘Indiscipline costing Wales’, says former skipper

Speaking on BBC, former Wales captain Siwan Lillicrap said: “Wales started with a bang in the first five minutes, the way they played, they went head to head, put pressure on Scotland.

“Then, credit to Scotland, they’ve been pressing for the rest of that half. Missed tackles and indiscipline is costing Wales.”

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05:43 PM GMT

Competitive opening period

It’s been a really competitive, high-energy first half and this game could go anywhere. Scotland weathered an early Welsh storm and on balance they deserve their slim lead at the break. 

The TMO has come to the visitors’ rescue a few times but Wales won’t mind that. They do, after all, look like a team that have had six days together and you wonder how they’ll cope when Bryan Easson deals his pack of forwards cards after the break.

It took time to warm up, but the Scottish backline has begun clicking through the gears. Their midfield of Nelson, Thomspon and Orr has looked really slick at times and Wales can take heart from how they’ve rallied on their own tryline.

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05:34 PM GMT

Half-time: Scotland 10 Wales 7

An untimely knock-on from Rollie blows the chance for a late Scottish try before Benan kicks into touch from the scrum to bring this first half to an end.

Wales started superbly, with Phillips crossing for an early try but Scotland have since dominated and took a deserved lead just before the break through Bonar.

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05:32 PM GMT

40 mins: Scotland 10 Wales 7

As Wales look to mount a rare attack at the end of this opening period, Gallagher wins the foul at the breakdown and that should see them through to the break.

Evans has picked up a yellow card for Wales for collapsing the maul in Scotland’s attacking move for the try.

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05:29 PM GMT

TRY! Scotland 10 (Bonar) Wales 7

Scotland have another trip into the Welsh 22, with Lloyd’s jinking run taking them within a couple of metres before Bonar makes the crucial low drive for the line and the hosts finally have their try!

Nelson converts with ease from the under the posts and Scotland do now have a three-point lead.

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05:27 PM GMT

Wales answering Scottish questions

Scotland are asking a lot of questions of Wales but so far the visitors are answering them. They may have been let off the hook with Scotland’s illegal maul formation but they’ll be hugely buoyed by keeping them out so far. 

Abbie Fleming has been immense for the visitors, plundering a huge turnover after Scotland were beginning to build some metres through McGhie.

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05:27 PM GMT

35 mins: Scotland 3 Wales 7

Fleming again shows her worth in the breakdown as her counter-ruck forces the turnover before Benan spots a gap in the Scottish defence and darts through, close to the 22. 

Wales recycle it before play is brought back for a high Scottish tackle and Wales can kick into touch for the line-out down their left, in the Scottish 22. A rare attacking opportunity in this opening period for the visitors, the first really since their try. 

There is just going to be a TMO check though for a high tackle from Pyrs before the Scottish high tackle. The decision is penalty for Scotland but nothing further as a low degree of danger.

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05:21 PM GMT

32 mins: Scotland 3 Wales 7

Once again, Wales are excellent in the breakdown and force the foul as Scotland fail to release. The visitors are unhappy with Thomson appearing to jump over a tackle in that last move but TMO are okay with it. Interesting call. 

Wow, following a long Welsh kick, McGhie goes on a jinking, marauding run forward, 50 yards up the field but it’s the same old story as Wales force the turnover in the breakdown.

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05:18 PM GMT

30 mins: Scotland 3 Wales 7

Scotland have the scrum and a lovely bit of interplay, with Thomson at the heart of it, takes the hosts within 10 metres of the line but some superb Welsh defending forces the knock-on at the breakdown. 

Following a long Welsh kick though, Thomson shows her pace and power once again to dart through the Welsh defensive line and the home side are back in the visitors’ 22.

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05:14 PM GMT

26 mins: Scotland 3 Wales 7

It’s take two with the line-out in the corner and this time Scotland make it pay. They maul superbly and in the end it’s Skeldon who makes the final drive for the line.

Nelson converts excellently from out wide on the left and Scotland have a three-point lead. Much deserved! 

Oh wait - just before Wales restart there is going to be a TMO review. Replays show the ball was not in contact with the jumper at the line-out so the try is disallowed for obstruction! The decision is greeted with boos but it is the correct call.

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05:10 PM GMT

24 mins: Scotland 3 Wales 7

Scotland maul well from the line-out but are held up on the line. They have the advantage though for Fleming collapsing the maul and they will have another chance down their left.

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05:09 PM GMT

23 mins: Scotland 3 Wales 7

Rollie shows an excellent burst of speed down Scotland’s left to take her side close to the Welsh 22 before a high tackle from Scoble concedes the penalty.

They could kick for the posts again but they decide to go for the corner this time. 

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05:07 PM GMT

21 mins: Scotland 3 Wales 7

Wales come forward but a knock-on gives Scotland the scrum inside their own half. A high tackle from Phillips then gives Scotland the penalty and an excellent kick from Nelson finds touch inside the Welsh 22.

It’s a waste though as the line-out is spilt and Scotland continue to wait for their opening try despite all their territory and possession.

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05:04 PM GMT

Penalty! Scotland 3 (Nelson) Wales 7

McGhie somehow gathers a chip through with George looking the clear favourite and Scotland quickly have the scrum advantage.

A crossfield kick finds McLachlan and she can take Scotland into the 22, down their right.

As the ball is worked back inside, Benan is penalised at the breakdown and Nelson will kick for the posts as the hosts look to get the scoreboard moving. 

It’s straight down the middle and Scotland can reduce their deficit to four. 

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05:00 PM GMT

14 mins: Scotland 0 Wales 7

McGhie knocks it on as Rollie fizzes a pass out wide to her. She will be really disappointed at that one with plenty of green grass to run into had she gathered it. 

Lloyd takes a high kick fabulously though following the scrum and Scotland come back once again.

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04:58 PM GMT

11 mins: Scotland 0 Wales 7

Wales’ line-out isn’t straight, presenting the chance for Scotland to come forward. McGhie does superbly to chase and gather a chip over the top before showing some twinkling feet to get into the Welsh 22.

Scotland drive to within a couple of metres of the try-line but they have the ball torn by Scoble in the maul. A crucial intervention. 

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04:55 PM GMT

Blistering start from Wales

It’s been a blistering start from Wales, who have had Scotland camped in their own half since kick-off. 

On their first full starts for Wales, the two props - Maisie Davies and Jenni Scoble - have absolutely crunched the hosts at the first scrum to win a crucial penalty. 

There’s a sizeable travelling Welsh contingent in front of the press box and I think half of them are Sean Lynn’s family. His wife, Vicki, organised a 53-seater coach for their relatives up to Edinburgh.

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04:54 PM GMT

8 mins: Scotland 0 Wales 7

Scotland look for the instant response and show some quick hands and power to drive towards the Welsh 22.

It’s worked out to McGhie on the left and she can take her side into the 22 but Fleming forces the penalty at the breakdown and Wales survive the first Scottish attack.

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04:51 PM GMT

TRY! Scotland 0 Wales 7 (Phillips)

Scotland have the scrum just in front of their own try-line but Wales force the penalty and kick straight for the corner, not even considering to kick for the posts.

The visitors maul well following the line-out down the right before Phillips makes the crucial surge for the line and she crosses for the first score of the day. 

Benan converts from under the posts to seal a brilliant start for Wales.

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04:49 PM GMT

3 mins: Scotland 0 Wales 0

Wales look sharp in the opening stages, moving the ball swiftly out to Newmann on the right and she is able to take her side well into the Scottish half.

The visitors work it from side to side and are able to drive into the 22. Benan makes a dart for the line from the breakdown before offloading to the supporting Davies but she knocks it on at the crucial moment. 

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04:45 PM GMT

1 min: Scotland 0 Wales 0

We are underway at the Hive with Wales getting us underway, kicking from left to right in this opening period. 

Kat Roche is the referee this afternoon. 

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04:41 PM GMT

Kick-off approaching

The players have come striding out of the tunnel onto the pitch at the Hive in front of the 5,000 in attendance and kick-off is now less than five minutes away.

But first, it’s time for the national anthems.

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04:39 PM GMT

Final preparations

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04:37 PM GMT

Wales improving on the road

Wales have won three away games during their last three Six Nations campaigns, which is as many as during the previous eight Championships.

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04:34 PM GMT

Opportunities all round

Scotland give an international debut to Hollie Cunningham who starts in the second row alongside the experienced Sarah Bonar.

Meanwhile, Maisie Davies, Jenni Scoble and Alaw Pyrs all make their first Wales start at the Hive this afternoon. 

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04:31 PM GMT

Lynn fresh off Gloucester-Hartpury three-peat

Sean Lynn has taken over Wales ahead of this Six Nations campaign right on the back of securing a third successive PWR title with Gloucester-Hartpury on Sunday.

The three-peat was completed with a 34-19 victory over Saracens in the final, as they equalled the London club’s record of three titles.

Five years on from being a mid-table outfit, Lynn has played a pivotal role in transforming Gloucester-Hartpury into the dominant force in English women’s domestic rugby.

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04:27 PM GMT

Fortunes changing for Scotland

Scotland have won four of their last seven matches in the Women’s Six Nations – as many as they’d won in their previous 63 matches in the Championship. 

Their most recent home win, a 36-10 victory over Ireland, was their biggest victory in the tournament since 2003.

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04:23 PM GMT

The skippers this afternoon

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙖𝙝 𝙅𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨 🤝 𝙍𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙡 𝙈𝙖𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙢 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Taflu'r geiniog 👍 #GuinnessW6N#SCOvWALpic.twitter.com/v9qNz9nBPe

— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@WelshRugbyUnion) March 22, 2025

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04:20 PM GMT

Big selection calls from Lynn in first match in charge

Happy Women’s Six Nations day to all those who celebrate. After France’s opening round win over Ireland, all eyes turn to Edinburgh where a new-look Wales side begin a new era under Sean Lynn, who is probably the most caffeinated coach in rugby right now. Just six days ago the Swansea native lifted his third domestic crown with Gloucester-Hartpury in Premiership Women’s Rugby before throwing himself into the thrills and spills of Test rugby.   

The Swansea man has made some eye-popping selection calls in his first Test as an international head coach. Keep an eye on Maisie Davies and Alaw Pyrs - the Welsh loosehead prop and lock respectively - who have been tearing up trees for Gwalia Lightning in the Celtic Challenge.

In a sign that Lynn wants to develop a big ball-carrying threat who can rival the likes of England’s Alex Matthews, he’s also trialling Georgia Evans - an out-and-out lock - in the new position of No 8. With Scotland opting for a 6-2 split on the bench - it is still uncommon to see forward-heavy benches in the women’s game - it’ll be a stern test for this experimental Welsh pack. With both of these teams meeting in the pool stages on August 23 at the World Cup in Salford, this match will take on added significance. 

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04:16 PM GMT

Preparations underway

The players’ warm-ups are well underway at the Hive, but the two head coaches have managed to find the opportunity for a quick chat. 

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04:12 PM GMT

Head-to-head

Wales have won 15 of their last 18 matches against Scotland in the Women’s Six Nations.

However, it was Scotland who edged out 20-18 winners when the teams met in Cardiff in last year’s Championship.

Six of the last seven Six Nations matches between the sides have been decided by margins of seven points or fewer.

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04:08 PM GMT

Lynn wants Wales to ‘make the family proud’

Wales head coach Sean Lynn has said this week: “The big thing is we all care and going up to Scotland, I want us to make the family proud.

“It will be very competitive and I know some of the players from the PWR - they’re a good outfit but we are too and that’s what I’m really excited about.

“There is some great talent and work ethic in our players.

“I’ve got full trust in these girls and I’m very confident we can go up there and really have a go at Scotland.

“You look at Scotland’s 10 and 12 - they play a very big territorial game. They are very physical, their forward pack are very well drilled but that’s what these girls are getting really excited about, facing a good challenge.”

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04:03 PM GMT

Games with Wales ‘always tasty’, says Easson

Discussing their opponents, Scotland head coach Bryan Easson said this week: “They are a familiar enemy, it’s always tasty and they are always close games and games that we really enjoy.

“Two styles that are a little bit different, it can be quite physical, it can also be a really good tactical battle as well.

“We know that Sean coming in is going to have a different edge with the experience he’s had a Gloucester-Hartpury, with a winning team as well, a winning mentality. That will be interesting just to see how that goes.

“We’re really looking forward to it, we’ve done more analysis on Gloucester-Hartpury than we have on Wales because obviously that’s a potential style.

“We’re aware of the battle that’s going to come. It’s been close over the last few years and we’re expecting nothing else.”

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03:58 PM GMT

France get off to winning start with victory in Belfast

France kicked off their Women’s Six Nations campaign with a 27-15 win over Ireland in the tournament’s curtain-raiser in Belfast earlier on this afternoon.

Gabrielle Vernier opened the scoring for the visitors with the game’s first try but then saw her 45th-minute yellow card for a high tackle upgraded by the TMO to a 20-minute red.

Despite Vernier’s dismissal and Scott Bemand’s side going within two points through tries from Aoife Wafer and Neve Jones, Emilie Boulard’s late score saw the French seal victory.

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03:54 PM GMT

Those teams in full

Scotland: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie; Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Anne Young, Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke, Hollie Cunningham, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (capt), Rachel McLachlan, Evie Gallagher.

Replacements: Elis Martin, Leah Bartlett, Christine Belisle, Adelle Ferrie, Alex Stewart, Jade Konkel, Caity Mattinson, Evie Wills.

Wales: Jasmine Joyce-Butchers; Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones (capt), Kayleigh Powell, Carys Cox; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Maisie Davies, Carys Phillips, Jenni Scoble, Abbie Fleming, Alaw Pyrs, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Georgia Evans.

Replacements: Kelsey Jones, Gwenllian Pyrs, Donna Rose, Gwen Crabb, Bryonie King, Meg Davies, Courtney Keight, Nel Metcalfe.

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03:49 PM GMT

Wales team news

Wales captain Hannah Jones is among the Gloucester-Hartpury contingent to come straight into the side following their Premiership Women’s Rugby title defence on Sunday. 

Maisie Davies, Jenni Scoble and Alaw Pyrs all make their first Wales start, with new head coach Sean Lynn going for a 5-3 split on the bench.

🚨 𝗧î𝗺 𝗖𝘆𝗺𝗿𝘂 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Here is your Wales team for our opening @Womens6Nations clash 🆚 @Scotlandteam on Saturday afternoon in Edinburgh, 16:45 KO! 🔥👇#GuinnessW6N | #SCOvWAL

— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@WelshRugbyUnion) March 20, 2025

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03:44 PM GMT

Scotland team news

Hollie Cunningham is set to earn her international debut, starting in the second row alongside the experienced Sarah Bonar.

Anne Young and Elliann Clarke are both set to earn a first Six Nations start in the front row as head coach Bryan Easson opts for a 6-2 split on the bench.

Your Scotland team for Saturday's Guinness Women's Six Nations opener 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

More ➡️ https://t.co/8XFnAtxokPpic.twitter.com/Zxd0iZXN6T

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) March 20, 2025

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03:39 PM GMT

Preview: Wales look for fast start under new head coach

Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of the opening day of the Women’s Six Nations as Scotland host Wales at Edinburgh’s Hive Stadium.

Following a difficult campaign in 2024 in which they finished bottom of the standings, Wales will be optimistic of a more successful tournament this time around with the long-running player contract dispute now resolved and three-time Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) winner Sean Lynn in place as the new head coach.

Lynn takes charge this afternoon, less than a week after his Gloucester-Hartpury side clinched a record third successive PWR title with victory over Saracens.

Wales had long dominated this fixture but Scotland triumphed 20-18 when the sides met in last year’s Championship, in what was their first victory in Cardiff in 20 years, before brushing Wales aside in a WXV2 warm-up game in September.

These results reflect a general change in fortunes for Bryan Easson’s side, who have now won four of their last seven matches in the Women’s Six Nations, which is as many as they’d won in their previous 63. They will be hoping this year to build on their back-to-back fourth-placed finishes.

This afternoon’s clash is somewhat of a dress rehearsal with the two teams also meeting in their opening game of this summer’s Rugby World Cup.

Earlier on today, Ireland hosted France in the tournament’s curtain raiser and it was the visitors who ran out 27-15 winners, to continue French Rugby’s joy in the Six Nations. Meanwhile, England will begin their hunt for a record-equalling seventh consecutive title and a fourth Grand Slam on the spin as they host Italy on Sunday.

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