Craig is joined by John on the injured reserve list to have a wee look at the URC action from the weekend. The post Podcast: Episode 293 – Getting the Band Back Together appeared first on Scottish Rugby Blog ..read more

The World Rugby Council has approved a package of law amendments that will come into effect from 1 July, 2024. The three new law amendments relate to offside from kicks in open play, the options available from a free-kick and removal of the practice of ‘crocodile rolling’ a player away from the tackle/ruck area, and are aimed at promoting ball in play time and supporting player welfare.  The programme is being rolled out with the support of national unions, competitions, universities and players and is central to the sport’s stated central mission of growth by increasing audience share. I ..read more

Scotland came up frustratingly short in their final Six Nations match against Ireland, losing out on a place in WXV1 by being pipped by the determined team in green. It was a disappointing end to what has been a very good, if not spectacular, tournament from Scotland. Here are the talking points. Kicking strategy fails to create enough pressure This season we have seen Ireland kick a lot and kick long, looking to feed off territorial pressure. Scotland selected box-kicker Caity Mattinson over Mairi McDonald (who had a strong game against Italy) so it was clear Scotland were also prepared to ki ..read more

This was a very “Scotland” way to lose out on the coveted third-place spot in this year’s Six Nations. Luckily, Scotland will still qualify for the Rugby World Cup through WXV2 (ask me about the permutations later!), but they will be disappointed that they lost this game and so the “best of the rest” label; despite the strength of the Irish team this year, this was a result well within Scotland’s grasp. The post 2024 Womens Six Nations: Ireland 15-12 Scotland -Player Ratings appeared first on Scottish Rugby Blog ..read more

Scotland were always going to be forced into changes following the win in Italy and the last minute Chloe Rollie yellow card, later upgraded to red. However the changes Bryan Easson has made are possibly more drastic than anticipated. Player of the match Lana Skeldon has dropped out through injury meaning Elis Martin deputises at hooker while Emma Wassell comes back into the second row after a bereavement absence last weekend. In the backs, Coreen Grant replaces Rhona Lloyd who has returned to GB7s in a pre-arranged move. At fullback Meryl Smith replaces Rollie, meaning the backline is brand n ..read more

Craig, Jonny and Iain discuss Scotland’s long-awaited victory in Italy, plus the return of the pro sides to URC action and Richard Cockerill’s comments about Scottish rugby. The post Podcast Episode 291: Italy v Scotland appeared first on Scottish Rugby Blog ..read more

Scotland found a way through to a first win over Italy in Italy in 25 years, despite a somewhat scrappy performance. Although below their best, they bounced back from defeat to England, and showed enough to seal their second win of the tournament, against a team they haven’t had much Six Nations success playing in the past. Scotland keep their heads More than anything this match really showed Scotland’s mental resilience, surely honed during their bad run in 2022 and which has become a massive asset this season. Scotland weathered an early Italian passage for the first 5 or 6 minutes and then ..read more

Scotland won in Italy for the first time this century, against a strong Italian side who took the game down to the wire. Scotland had the bulk of territory and possession but the scores were even at halftime after a wonderful try from Italy’s star Alyssa D’Inca, answered by a driving maul try finished off by Lana Skeldon. The Scots stayed calm and pulled away in the second half thanks to tries by Emma Orr and Chloe Rollie, earning them their first win on Italian soil in 25 years. Scotland had obviously worked on the set piece this week and the lineout fired much more successfully, but there we ..read more

Craig, Jonny, Iain and Rory pick over the disappointing loss to England and talk about some of the latest signings for the Pro Teams. The post Podcast Episode 290: Craig’s Discount Bakery appeared first on Scottish Rugby Blog ..read more

After an impressive performance against France, Scotland had hoped to back things up against the world’s number one team, but got blown away by an excellent Red Roses team and horrible weather conditions. The talk from the camp before the game had not been about winning this game, but putting in a good performance and gaining respect, as they had against France the match before. England are so far ahead in their professional journey that comparing Scotland to the Red Roses isn’t useful but Scotland won’t feel they even reached the standards they set themselves to meet. Last year Scotland conce ..read more