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South Wales Argus
08-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
McIntyre insists Scotland won't be underestimating Welsh threat
Scotland's Holly McIntyre is not underestimating the threat posed by Wales in their second fixture of the 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series as both sides go in search of a first win. The opening round of games at the Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly saw Scotland lose 31-17 to England in a closely fought physical encounter while Wales slipped to a 27-10 defeat to Ireland in a similarly bruising tussle. But Scotland battled bravely against the Auld Enemy, never letting their opponents run away from them, whilst scoring three tries in the process. Alongside Emily Norval and Poppy Mellanby, McIntyre was one of those to cross over on Saturday afternoon, finishing superbly after collecting Lucy MacRae's pinpoint cross-field kick, and the 22-year-old is expecting another tough match against the competition hosts. 39' Try - Scotland's patience is awarded with a try for Holly McIntyre right before the half.#AsOne #SixNationsSummerSeries — Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) July 5, 2025 'We know that the Welsh pathways and all of their sides are really big on the contact area, so that's definitely something we've looked at,' the Ayr native said. 'We've spoken about that. We know where their threats are, and we know that they've got a couple of players coming in and out of their squads. 'We had a hit out against them last month in Edinburgh, so we feel like we know them pretty well. 'There have been a couple of good chats about areas that we feel we can go after and all the chat around that has been pretty positive.' Despite the result against England, McIntyre, who will be graduating from the University of Edinburgh next week after five years studying Interior Design, added the feeling amongst the squad has been upbeat this week. 'We've had our meetings over the week, and we are pretty happy with how the [England] game went,' she continued. 'We put on a good display of what we'd been up to in training, and we were really happy with our bravery in the contact areas and our physicality. 'As you can see, we definitely stressed them in areas and there's a positive mood in the group. 'And now, we're looking forward to getting into Wales this weekend.' Charlotte Russell also shared McIntyre's outlook heading into the Wales game and explained that self-belief will be an important factor. She added: 'We definitely need to take some confidence in our performance against England, especially with the forwards and at the set piece, we really surprised ourselves with those. 'Now, we just need to back ourselves.'
The Herald Scotland
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
McIntyre insists Scotland won't be underestimating Welsh threat
Scotland's Holly McIntyre is not underestimating the threat posed by Wales in their second fixture of the 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series as both sides go in search of a first win. The opening round of games at the Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly saw Scotland lose 31-17 to England in a closely fought physical encounter while Wales slipped to a 27-10 defeat to Ireland in a similarly bruising tussle. But Scotland battled bravely against the Auld Enemy, never letting their opponents run away from them, whilst scoring three tries in the process. Alongside Emily Norval and Poppy Mellanby, McIntyre was one of those to cross over on Saturday afternoon, finishing superbly after collecting Lucy MacRae's pinpoint cross-field kick, and the 22-year-old is expecting another tough match against the competition hosts. 39' Try - Scotland's patience is awarded with a try for Holly McIntyre right before the half.#AsOne #SixNationsSummerSeries — Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) July 5, 2025 'We know that the Welsh pathways and all of their sides are really big on the contact area, so that's definitely something we've looked at,' the Ayr native said. 'We've spoken about that. We know where their threats are, and we know that they've got a couple of players coming in and out of their squads. 'We had a hit out against them last month in Edinburgh, so we feel like we know them pretty well. 'There have been a couple of good chats about areas that we feel we can go after and all the chat around that has been pretty positive.' Despite the result against England, McIntyre, who will be graduating from the University of Edinburgh next week after five years studying Interior Design, added the feeling amongst the squad has been upbeat this week. 'We've had our meetings over the week, and we are pretty happy with how the [England] game went,' she continued. 'We put on a good display of what we'd been up to in training, and we were really happy with our bravery in the contact areas and our physicality. 'As you can see, we definitely stressed them in areas and there's a positive mood in the group. 'And now, we're looking forward to getting into Wales this weekend.' Charlotte Russell also shared McIntyre's outlook heading into the Wales game and explained that self-belief will be an important factor. She added: 'We definitely need to take some confidence in our performance against England, especially with the forwards and at the set piece, we really surprised ourselves with those. 'Now, we just need to back ourselves.'
Scottish Sun
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Our Auld Enemy rivalry will always be part of our DNA — but look to the US and Canada for the next great national drama
ZARA JANJUA Our Auld Enemy rivalry will always be part of our DNA — but look to the US and Canada for the next great national drama Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WE Scots pride ourselves on being world-class grudge holders. For centuries, the English have been our go-to national frenemy — the original source of cultural, political and footie-based beef. But while we've been locked in this existential tug-of-war with England, another rivalry has been quietly gathering momentum across the Atlantic. 4 Scottish Sun columnist Zara Credit: The Sun 4 Our Auld Enemy rivalry with England will always be part of our DNA Credit: PA 4 Donald Trump with new Canadian PM Mark Carney Credit: AP 4 Matthew Tkachuk of Team USA fights with Brandon Hagel of Team Canada during the first period in the 4 Nations Face-Off game Credit: Getty And I hate to say it, but it might just outdo ours in both stakes and pettiness. I speak, of course, of Canada vs the United States — a feud with the energy of a polite street fight outside a farmers' market, but one that could soon eclipse our age-old Anglo-Scottish sparring. One close point from the US to Canada is the border between Detroit, Michigan (US) and Windsor, Ontario (Canada), which spans the Detroit River. This week I flew to Detroit and crossed the border by car into Windsor. On one side, muscle cars and MAGA hats; on the other, maple leaves and passive resistance. Landing in the US, I found myself wondering: Have I ever tweeted something spicy enough to be flagged by Homeland Security? I'm a liberal Pakistani-Scottish woman with a fondness for human rights and sarcasm — so, probably. I even censored myself mid-flight while chatting to the woman beside me, just in case my views got me deported before I'd even finished my pretzels. As it turned out, I sailed through immigration. But the process felt Orwellian — less Big Brother, more Big Border Patrol. It was the first time I felt that my politics, passport and profile picture might be under review by an algorithm with a grudge. Trump crushes hopes of 'peace talks' call with Musk as he insists Elon has 'lost his mind' after feud went nuclear Last week King Charles and Queen Camilla landed in Ottawa, 400 miles from Windsor — like some royal advance party sent to remind Canada they're not available for franchise. Charles was there to open Parliament and, unofficially, to stick a diplomatic elbow between Canada and Trump's vision of turning it into a Walmart with trees. Trump had recently floated the idea of Canada becoming the 51st US state — a suggestion so absurd it made The Handmaid's Tale look like a romcom. But Canadians, long stereotyped as gentle pacifists with a fetish for fleece, have started pushing back with the Elbows Up movement. Time to tan and pair up again TEN years. That's how long Love Island has been thrusting bronzed 20-somethings into a villa armed with veneers, trust issues, and bikinis smaller than their moral compasses. And somehow, despite the rise of AI lovers and Hinge horror stories, the show's stayed loyal to its original premise: couple-up or get dumped. In this economy? That's practically a marriage vow. Tomorrow, the 12th series washes ashore – and just like your ex, it'll turn up every weekday at 9pm, whether you want it to or not. But credit where it's due: in an age of ghosting, orbiting and situationships, the transactional honesty is almost refreshing. Find someone hot. Stay together. Win. If only the rest of us had a narrator explaining where we went wrong with that man from Fife who 'wasn't ready to label things'. 'Elbows Up, Canada!' is their national pep talk, a slogan born from ice hockey legend Gordie Howe, who once said: 'If a guy slashed me, I'd pull him close and elbow him in the head.' And now the nation has adopted that spirit. It features in a video campaign with new Prime Minister Mark Carney and actual national treasure Mike Myers, whose shirt: reads: 'NEVER 51.' That's the mood now — polite defiance in plaid. It's a masterclass in soft power. The Scottish-English tension may have Brexit baggage, but this? This is a full-blown cold war of the niceties. Miley is the adult now THERE are things no one prepares you for in life: pandemics, the rise of Crocs, and your dad dating Liz Hurley. But here we are – Miley Cyrus, patron saint of post-trauma empowerment, has broken her silence on her da Billy Ray's new love interest. Not a line-dancing divorcee or a country starlet, but the one and only safety-pinned icon of the Nineties. Yes, that Liz Hurley. Now, if you thought family drama peaked with Meghan and Harry, hold Miley's gluten-free beer. The former Disney rebel has navigated her parents' split, gone no-contact with Dad, and now emerged with the kind of perspective that costs thousands in therapy. 'I'm being an adult about it,' she told the New York Times, as if she's not clearly the only adult in the room. Should we have opinions on our parents' love lives? Absolutely not. Do we? Always. Especially when their new flame once dated Hugh Grant and probably owns lingerie more expensive than most mortgages. But Miley's honesty hits a nerve. That moment you realise your parents are fallible, with achy breaky hearts and questionable taste in post- divorce rebounds. It's disarming, dignified – and depressingly mature. Still, if anyone can make blended family dysfunction look glam, it's Liz bloody Hurley. And if Miley can 'wish happiness' to the chaos, maybe there's hope for the rest of us. Next year construction is due to finish on the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Detroit and Windsor, named after the elbow-throwing icon. But this isn't just infrastructure — it's metaphor. A physical link between two nations increasingly trying to figure out how to stay connected without being consumed. The old Auld Enemy rivalry will always be part of our DNA — but if you're looking for the next great national drama, look to the US and Canada. It's neighbour vs neighbour, lumber vs logic, satire vs statecraft and Mike Myres vs Trump.
The Independent
08-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Scotland vs Wales LIVE rugby: Latest score and updates from Six Nations as Kinghorn scores again in rout
Scotland will be wary of a rapidly-improving Wales as they bid to bounce back from their Calcutta Cup defeat. Finn Russell 's missed conversion denied the visitors a fifth successive success over the Auld Enemy, and raised tough questions for Gregor Townsend with another Six Nations without significant success beckoning. With France to come on the final weekend, this becomes a crucial encounter to show that progress can still be made for this group and this coaching staff. For Wales, meanwhile, this feels like a free shot. The rapid, drastic improvements shown in Matt Sherratt's first game as interim coach have brought the optimism back to Welsh rugby, even if defeat to Ireland extended their long losing runs to 15 games. Sherratt has insisted he has no interest in the role on a full-time basis but another strong showing here would further his reputation and instil further confidence within a young squad in need of positivity. Can they snap the streak? Scotland 35-8 Wales, 55 minutes Scotland need to keep their structure even though they have a healthy lead as they know the individual threat Wales propose. Faletau powers forward after Graham's kick, hitting White in the process before Scotland finally halt his run. Wales push into the 22 and earn a penalty as Scotland are caught off-side at the breakdown. The attack ends with a cross-field kick, but we go back for the advantage. Wales opt to kick to the corner. Ciara Fearn8 March 2025 18:07 Scotland 35-8 Wales, 53 minutes Ritchie gets the penalty for Scotland at the breakdown. Scotland look to spread it wide to Graham, who tries to weave his way through on the wing. However, a knock-on hands possession to Wales, who send a kick through. Kinghorn scrambles to gather and off-loads to Graham, who clears. Wales have the advantage for a Scotland off-side and opt for a kick over the top. With no advantage, play is brought back for the penalty. 8 March 2025 18:03 TRY! Scotland 35-8 Wales, 48 minutes Scotland drive forward from the lineout, just eight meters from the try line, with Cherry looking to go blind side. They quickly move the ball through the hands, and with plenty of space ahead, Kinghorn goes over for the try. Excellent attacking play from Scotland, and Russell safely converts. Wales have made a few changes to their front row, bringing on Dewi Lake, Aaron Wainwright and Keiron Assiratti. Ciara Fearn8 March 2025 17:57 Scotland 28-8 Wales, 44 minutes Wow, that was a crazy bit of play, Scotland gain possession, but as they try to move it wide, Van der Merwe is forced into touch. Wales win a penalty after Fagerson is penalised for hands on the ground. Scotland regain the ball just past halfway, with Jordan feeding it to Jones. Graham assesses his options before Murray confidently claims the high ball. Williams launches a box kick, and Kinghorn does brilliantly to collect it. Scotland then opt for another box kick, which Anscombe safely gathers. Ciara Fearn8 March 2025 17:53 Kick-off Scotland 28-8 Wales, 41 minutes We're underway again! Scotland have scored four tries already securing their bonus point. Kinghorn kicks things off in Murrayfield. Ciara Fearn8 March 2025 17:50 HALF TIME: Scotland 28-8 Wales 'Matt Sherratt, welcome to the real international world,' Jonathan Davies remarks on the BBC, putting it more succinctly than I ever could. Yes, after the optimism of the first half against Ireland, Wales have bashed back down to earth with quite the bump with Scotland cantering towards a big win. A bonus point already in the bag, Scotland have showed off their vibrant, varied attacking game, with Wales unable to combat it when their strategy to go hard at the breakdown has failed to get hands on ball. All may not be lost for Wales - remember, they roared back to within a point from the same 20-point deficit in Cardiff last year, though one suspects Scotland will be rather more ready for a comeback here... Harry Latham-Coyle8 March 2025 17:36 HALF TIME: Scotland 28-8 Wales Harry Latham-Coyle8 March 2025 17:33 Scotland 28-8 Wales, 42 minutes Scotland ride the helter-skelter: Blair Kinghorn and Duhan van der Merwe throw their arms in the air as they are lifted towards the touchline, offloading to no-one in particular. Wales gather Van der Merwe's eventually and chance a length-of-the-field attempt - briefly, that is. Sense prevails and Tomos Williams brings the half to a close by kicking the ball out. Harry Latham-Coyle8 March 2025 17:32 Scotland 28-8 Wales, 40 minutes Wales can't work consistently into their attacking shape, with the extra Scottish man making a difference. They'll have the last attack of the half after Finn Russell thunders the latest penalty down into the visitors' 22. Harry Latham-Coyle8 March 2025 17:30 Scotland 28-8 Wales, 39 minutes A frantic couple of minutes with the two teams trading passes to ghosts, the ball twice hitting the deck in relatively quick succession. Jamie Ritchie goes off his feet to bail Wales out of a bit of bother. Harry Latham-Coyle8 March 2025 17:28
The Independent
08-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Scotland vs Wales LIVE rugby: Latest build-up and updates from Six Nations as visitors seek breakthrough win
Scotland will be wary of a rapidly-improving Wales as they bid to bounce back from their Calcutta Cup defeat. Finn Russell 's missed conversion denied the visitors a fifth successive success over the Auld Enemy, and raised tough questions for Gregor Townsend with another Six Nations without significant success beckoning. With France to come on the final weekend, this becomes a crucial encounter to show that progress can still be made for this group and this coaching staff. For Wales, meanwhile, this feels like a free shot. The rapid, drastic improvements shown in Matt Sherratt's first game as interim coach have brought the optimism back to Welsh rugby, even if defeat to Ireland extended their long losing runs to 15 games. Sherratt has insisted he has no interest in the role on a full-time basis but another strong showing here would further his reputation and instil further confidence within a young squad in need of positivity. Can they snap the streak? Scotland vs Wales LIVE Hello and welcome to The Independent's LIVE coverage of the second helping of Six Nations action on the penultimate Saturday of the tournament, and a highly intriguing encounter between Scotland and Wales. The visitors come bouncing up to Murrayfield having found new life under interim boss Matt Sherratt, while Gregor Townsend's side are still ruing the missed opportunities at Twickenham a fortnight ago with the head coach under growing pressure. Kick off in Edinburgh is at 4.45pm GMT. Harry Latham-Coyle7 March 2025 21:25
