Scotland build for WXV2 with six-try win over Wales

Women's International friendly: Scotland v Wales

Scotland (5) 40

Tries: Gallagher, McGhie 2, Rollie 2, Smith Cons: Nelson 5

Wales (7) 14

Tries: Webb, Metcalfe Cons: Bevan 2

Scotland ensured back-to-back wins over Wales in 2024 with a dominant six-try victory in Edinburgh.

Evie Gallagher and Megan Webb exchanged tries in an even first-half, before Scotland’s backs ran riot after the break.

Francesca McGhie and Chloe Rollie both crossed twice, with Meryl Smith also a deserving scorer, while Nel Metcalfe salvaged some late pride for the visitors.

Scotland will play Fiji on 14 September, while Wales host Australia on 20 September before both sides head to South Africa for WXV2.

Games between Scotland and Wales are usually close encounters, with Scotland pipping Wales by just two points in March, but this was a convincing victory for Bryan Easson’s more experienced side in front of their home fans.

This meeting was only friendly in title as fierce rivalries were renewed between the Six Nations sides who are looking to gain some momentum going into WXV2.

Players would have been forgiven for looking rusty off the back of pre-season, but the game was played with high intensity from the whistle, with some ferocious tackling and plenty of attacking endeavour.

Wales’ ill-discipline gifted the hosts territory in the early stages, and Scotland’s leading try scorer Lana Skeldon looked to have added to her tally after peeling off the line-out, but Molly Reardon did well to get her body under the ball.

Scotland were not to be denied through Gallagher on the 10 minute mark, with the powerful number eight picking up off the back of the scrum before spinning her way out of the tackle to cross.

Wales were back level a few minutes later when they got into the Scotland 22. Keira Bevan, captaining the side for the first time, took a quick-tap penalty and made a darting run to the try line.

She was brought down a few metres short, but Wales showed good composure to ship the ball out wide and find Webb in space.

Scotland took control as the half came to a close, with Wales on a final warning as infringements built up.

Smith looked to have crossed, but the combined efforts of Robyn Wilkins and Gwennan Hopkins kept the the ball from being grounded.

Another try was ruled out from a line-out when skipper Rachel Malcolm was shown to be in front of the ball carrier, with Wales taking a slender lead down the tunnel.

Scotland showed their clinical side and scored a superb team try off the re-start.

Alex Stewart started the move with a turnover, with McGhie showing good pace to chase down Emma Orr’s kick through.

The influential Helen Nelson added the first of five second half conversions.

The Scottish onslaught continued and Coreen Grant looked certain to score after Rollie found her in acres of space, but she spilled the ball to Welsh relief.

The try eventually came through Rollie on 53 minutes, Orr once again the provider, passing inside for the full-back to finish off.

Smith, who was denied in the first half, got her name on the scoresheet on the hour mark, latching onto a well-timed Nelson pass.

As the game began to slip away from Wales, both sides emptied their benches.

Scottish duo Leia Brebner-Holden and Lucia Scott ran on for their debuts, while under-20s trio Maisie Davies, Rosie Carr and Alaw Pyrs won their first senior Welsh caps.

The hosts continued to dictate and a well-timed kick from Smith was scooped up by Rollie who carved her way through the defence to score her side’s fifth try.

Replacement fly-half Lleucu George injected a bit of tempo into Welsh attack, with her giant boot providing a promising attacking platform.

But Wales, who are usually so dangerous from the five-metre line-out, were well martialled and denied a sniff of the try line.

Scotland, however, continued to run in tries for fun and McGhie benefited from another outstanding team try five minutes from time, with forwards and backs combining well to put in the winger.

But Wales would have the final say as they too showed good handling skills to work the ball out wide, with Metcalfe finishing off in the corner.

Scotland: Chloe Rollie; Francesca McGhie, Emma Orr, Meryl Smith, Coreen Grant; Helen Nelson, Mairi McDonald; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Christine Belisle, Fi McIntosh, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (capt), Alex Stewart, Evie Gallagher

Replacements: Elis Martin, Anne Young, Elliann Clarke, Louise McMillan, Eva Donaldson, Jade Konkel, Leia Brebner-Holden, Lucia Scott.

Wales: Jenny Hesketh; Catherine Richards, Meg Webb, Kerin Lake, Jasmine Joyce; Robyn Wilkins, Keira Bevan (capt); Gwenllian Pyrs, Molly Reardon, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Natalia John, Gwen Crabb, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Gwennan Hopkins

Replacements: Rosie Carr, Maisie Davies, Donna Rose, Alaw Pyrs, Alisha Butchers, Sian Jones, Lleucu George, Nel Metcalfe.