Latest news with #GuinnessWomen'sSixNations
Edinburgh Reporter
an hour ago
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Scotland Women to play England at Scottish Gas Murrayfield's main bowl
Scottish Rugby is continuing the Murrayfield 100 celebrations by announcing that the match against England in the 2026 Guinness Women's Six Nations will be played in the main bowl at Scottish Gas Murrayfield. This is the first time that Scotland Women will play a standalone international in front of spectators in bowl. Speaking on the announcement, captain Rachel Malcolm said: 'We are incredibly excited to play this match at Scottish Gas Murrayfield. 'We have all dreamed that one day our fan base would grow to the point where we would have the opportunity to run out, cheered on by our supporters, on this iconic pitch 'We always talk about leaving the shirt in a better place, and the fact that young girls playing in the National Youth Cup Finals can now look around and think, 'One day, I want to run out here for Scotland Women,' is so special. It shows how far we have come and how many ways we can inspire the next generation. 'There have been some incredible trailblazers before us, and right now it's our turn to make moves and keep pushing things forward with Scottish Rugby.' Hive Stadium has been the home to Scotland Women since 2021. In that time, their fanbase has expanded, and in 2024 they reached a capacity crowd of 7,774 against England, marking a record attendance for the women's national team. Scottish Rugby Chief Executive, Alex Williamson, said: 'This is such an exciting time for the growth of women's rugby. With the Rugby World Cup on our doorstep, records are already being broken months in advance. We want to celebrate that momentum by elevating the Scotland Women international experience for both players and fans. 'This is why we are 'Making Moves' by bringing the biggest game of the 2026 season to Scottish Gas Murrayfield. 'To celebrate the women's game in Scotland, and as part of the stadium's 100th anniversary celebrations, we're inviting rugby fans from all over the world to come and watch our national team play in what we hope will be the largest ever crowd for a Scottish women's sporting event.' Scotland Women have played international matches in the main Murrayfield bowl on eight previous occasions. The first was an autumn international in 2002 played as a double header with the men where the team, which included Scotland's highest capped player, Donna Kennedy, faced Sweden, whilst the men faced Fiji. Indeed the first seven matches were played as double headers whilst the most recent occasion was on a snowy Monday afternoon in front of a few guests when Scotland played England in the 2020 Women's Six Nations following a rescheduling from Scotstoun thanks to Storm Ciara from the day before. Next year's Guinness Women's 6 Nations match v England at Scottish Gas Murrayfield will be the first standalone women's international played there with a ticketed crowd. Head of Women and Girls' Strategy, Gemma Fay, added: 'We launched our Women & Girls strategy in 2022. By 2024 we had already achieved our target of 7,000 fans when we played England in a sold-out Hive Stadium. Our next target had to be a new record crowd and that has to be in Scottish Gas Murrayfield. 'The growth in fans, combined with increase in girls and women participation to over 9,000, we know that now is the time to make the move with our women's national team. 'We are extremely excited that moving forward we are able to provide fans and players alike the opportunity to experience match days in either Hive Stadium or Scottish Gas Murrayfield and of course, that first match in the main bowl had to be England in the Guinness Women's Six Nations.' To mark this historic occasion, Scottish Rugby is launching a 'Best Seat, Best Price' offer where fans can snap up tickets in the East Stand at the introductory price (£15 for adults, £10 for under 18s and £5 for children U12s), making this not only a record-breaking moment, but also an incredible opportunity for rugby fans to get a different view of their favourite sporting cathedral. The offer is available for a limited time, so fans are encouraged to get in early and book the best seat(s) with the brilliant Best Seat, Best Price offer. Fixture details: Scotland v England – Saturday 18 April, KO 1:30pm * Confirmation of kick off time for the Scotland v England clash will be confirmed shortly, together with the full schedule of all 2026 Guinness Women's Six Nations fixtures. Pre sale for Scotland's Supporters Club members will go on sale on Thursday 5 June with General sale on Friday 6 June. Like this: Like Related
STV News
2 days ago
- General
- STV News
Scotland aiming for record when England visit in Women's Six Nations
Scotland are aiming to host the country's biggest-ever crowd for a women's standalone sporting event after it was revealed that next year's Guinness Women's Six Nations showdown with England will take place at Murrayfield Stadium. The Scots have played their home matches at Edinburgh's 7,800-capacity Hive Stadium since 2021. However, Scottish Rugby, encouraged by growing interest in the women's game, announced that next April's showpiece fixture against England will be staged at the 67,000-capacity national stadium. The organisation's head of women and girls' strategy, Gemma Fay, is hoping they can drum up an even a bigger crowd than the 18,555 that watched Scotland's women's football team in a pre-World Cup friendly at Hampden in May 2019. 'We know the current record exists with Scottish football right now, and I was there,' said Fay, a former Scotland footballer. 'It was a wonderful day, an amazing atmosphere, and we want to replicate that out here. 'We want to do even better. And if other teams want to challenge us to get that highest standalone women's sporting event in Scotland, please do, because we want to push everybody together. 'For us, this is not just about raising the standard, the awareness and the visibility of Scottish women's rugby in a Rugby World Cup year. This is about everybody in women's sport in Scotland raising that together, because we know ourselves that we can only do this together with the other sports. 'We've got just under a year to sell this fixture, that was purposeful. We've got a wonderful World Cup to look forward to that's happening in England. That's already record-breaking (in terms of ticket sales) and we want to use that momentum to push us forward.' Scotland Women have played at Murrayfield only twice before – but never on the scale anticipated next April. Full-back Chloe Rollie is relishing the chance to represent her country in front of a big crowd at the national stadium. 'Over the years I've been to Murrayfield a lot to support the men's team and I wished I could run up and down that pitch, be there catching a high ball with the team that I'm with just now and making memories like that,' said the 29-year-old. 'I didn't think this would ever happen, I played at Broadwood, my first cap (in 2015), there were maybe not even 200 people there and 75 per cent of that was family and friends, so it was almost like you played the game and that was it, there were no fans there wanting autographs or wanting pictures. 'To see where it is now, you're taking an hour to get through the tunnel because you've got people asking for autographs, asking for pictures, asking for your boots, your socks etc, it's really amazing to see that change and to have that opportunity again to raise those numbers is massive.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
29-05-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Emma Wassell returns to Scotland squad for World Cup after chest tumour
Emma Wassell has been included in Scotland's Women's Rugby World Cup training squad after recovering from a benign tumour in her chest. The 30-year-old, who has 67 caps, has not been involved in the national set-up since last year. Scotland head coach Bryan Easson has picked an extended 38-player squad as he begins preparations for the tournament, which takes place in England in August. Easson has included four uncapped players – Aila Ronald, Hannah Ramsay, Hannah Walker and Meg Varley – all of whom trained with the squad through the Guinness Women's Six Nations. Easson said: 'We've named a strong, competitive group that blends hard-earned experience with exciting young talent. 'I was particularly pleased with how our debutants and uncapped players performed during the Guinness Women's Six Nations – both in training and in matches – and this window gives them a chance to step up and show us more. 'It's also fantastic to welcome back Emma Wassell, Coreen Grant, Hollie Cunningham, and Meg Varley, all of whom have worked hard to return from injury and are now fit and available for selection. Their return adds even greater strength and competition to the squad.' Scotland kick off their campaign against Wales at Salford Community Stadium on August 23 and also face Fiji and Canada in the pool stage. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Irish Examiner
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Beibhinn Parsons: 'I thought lightning couldn't strike twice, then I was in the same position again'
Beibhinn Parsons insists she really cannot complain as she surveys a sun-kissed Aviva Stadium field replete with delighted, rugby-playing children. The Ireland wing is looking down on the annual ALDI Play Rugby Festival as kids from nationals schools from around the country grab their opportunity to play on the hallowed turf and a blitz that oozes positivity. Parsons, 24, is also full of the joys as she drinks in the spectacle and looks ahead to a return to action herself. She really does have every reason to gripe, though, given the ill-fortune that beset her with two separate leg breaks inside five months last year. It is a year since she last played for the Ireland XVs in the 2024 Guinness Women's Six Nations with her injuries sustained on sevens duty at the Paris Olympics and then again in Cape Town last December, causing her to miss the 2025 championship just gone. Yet the prize of a place in Ireland's World Cup campaign this autumn remains in front of her and explains her cheery outlook, for Parsons is targeting a return to the training pitch in four weeks as part of Scott Bemand's pre-tournament squad. Parsons has had to be patient, Ireland squad updates during the Six Nations campaign just gone hinted at a return during the championship but the Connacht star was happy to listen to expert advice and continues to rehab as her squad-mates take a well-earned break. Ireland winger Beibhinn Parsons at the Aldi Play Rugby National Festival. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo 'So I got injured at the Olympics, broke my fibula and a couple of ligaments. Came back maybe a bit too soon and did it all over again. 'So this time around, the medics and everyone just have my best interests at heart and just said give it all the time it needs and more. So that's where I'm at right now. I'm still in rehab, building up and hopefully good to go for the pre-season. 'Come the start of June we're in for our first pre-season camp. So that's my target, to be back fully fit and ready to go for then.' If all goes to plan, Parsons hopes to get her first gametime of 2025 in at least one of two warm-up matches prior to the World Cup pool opener against Japan in Northampton on August 24, with Ireland meeting Scotland in Cork on August 2 and Canada in Belfast seven days later. The chances of lightning striking three times inside a year and dealing Parsons another cruel blow are hopefully infinitesimal and she admitted the second break left her in utter shock. 'It's been really weird because the first time, I thought it gave me a big long chance to reflect on all the rugby I'd played so far and I just felt really, really grateful for the career that I'd had up to that point. 'I thought injuries are just part of professional sport and this is just my medicine, I have to take it and that's fine. 'The second time, I wish that was the same mindset I had, but I was a bit heartbroken. I just thought lightning couldn't strike twice and then I was in the same position again. 'It's funny actually, like when I watched back the injury, the second time, didn't cry, didn't scream, didn't let out any type of yell. The physio didn't even come on for ages, because he didn't even think I was in pain but my world was just sort of falling down around me. 'It was just complete and utter shock the second time. Shock and then sadness. But this rehab block has been really productive and I have been away from playing the game, but I've had loads of chance to work on running technique and strength and stuff like that, so there's pros and cons to everything.' For anyone of a squeamish disposition, the prospect of watching back any injury is anathema, but reviewing your own leg breaking for a second time? Even Parsons admitted that was above and beyond the call of duty. 'Yeah, I was sort of like, 'do I want to see this?', but I ripped the Band-Aid off that night and I was like 'give me a look at it'. 'It just looked so weird. I go to reach back for my foot and it was dislocated, so I was just like padding the ground going 'is this even my foot?' and like 'what is going on?' it's complete and utter shock.' Understandably, the mental rehabilitation has been, and remains, just as important as her physical recovery. 'There definitely is a mental hurdle for me to get back. Like the first few training sessions that I watched back or the few games that I watched live when I'd see those sort of similar tackles or similar mechanisms, honestly my heart would start racing. 'But now that I'm back into it, I've built up my contact and returned to contact really gradually, and I've had lots of exposures at different levels to get that next milestone and then feel like I've that in the bag and go onto the next one. 'So it was definitely as much a mental process as a physical one and with the contact side of things, I still definitely have a mental hurdle that I'm getting over, but it is an important part of your return to play. 'It's great when medics and your coaches really acknowledge that because it's huge. You can't play if you're playing in fear.' Parsons considers herself fortunate just get to the shot and is talking to the Irish Examiner on the day Ireland team-mate Dorothy Wall was ruled out of the tournament due to the Achilles tendon injury she sustained a week earlier against Scotland. Wall's desperately bad news came only a couple of weeks after fellow forward Erin King also had her World Cup hopes taken away by a serious knee injury. 'We had a barbecue the other day and Dorothy was laid up on a lounger and then we had Erin King laid up on another lounger and people were like getting up, 'can you pass me the ketchup?' and their backs were broken. We're like, 'Jesus, we're all a bunch of cripples and we're in our early 20s. 'Being injured gives you so much time to reflect and even with the two girls getting injured, I'm like 'god, I got an Olympics and I'm going to be back in contention for a World Cup', like I'm actually one of the lucky ones. 'It's just how you frame it and I've so much to go after right now, like fitness and confidence and getting that step in and moving off both legs and stuff. And the depth that Scott has grown in our squad is massive. The back three has been really competitive, so I'm the bottom of the barrel and I really have to earn my stripes when I get back in.'
RTÉ News
01-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
'Dorothy was part of that journey' - Linda Djougang 'gutted' by Dorothy Wall's World Cup heartache
Ireland prop Linda Djougang says she's "gutted" for her team-mate Dorothy Wall, who was ruled out of this summer's World Cup due to injury. Wall became the second high-profile Ireland player to be ruled out of the tournament in England, after suffering a torn achilles during Saturday's Guinness Women's Six Nations defeat to Scotland in Edinburgh. The versatile forward would have been a key player for Ireland in the World Cup, having featured in every game of the championship, scoring four tries. The 24-year-old had surgery on her torn achilles on Wednesday which will rule her out for several months, and she joins flanker Erin King on the sidelines for Ireland's World Cup campaign later this year. "It's so hard, especially such an important year for us to have two pivotal players going out through injuries, and missing out," Djougang told the RTÉ Rugby podcast this week. "I clearly remember on the pitch, it was beside me, and hearing your team-mate screaming that way, it's definitely not something you want to hear. "Dorothy has been having such a good tournament and she's probably my standout player. She's so good, she's our lineout leader and we had to adapt to that. "A World Cup comes every four years and it's something that we've been building on, something we've been dreaming of, and something we've been working hard to get." Djougang, the most experienced Test player in the Ireland squad with 46 caps, says those injuries make her even more grateful for the chance of playing in the World Cup later this summer. "When we didn't qualify a few years ago to go to New Zealand, Dorothy was part of that journey. For me, my heart just goes out to her. I know we spoke about representing our country at a World Cup, we spoke about that dream for us, I just feel so gutted for her. "It's been our goal, it's been her goal. She's been through all of it. She's that pivotal player for us, and she's definitely stepped up beyond even what we expect of her. She's going to be a great loss. "I think that it reminds us that this can be taken that quickly. "It's the sport we play, you can't go in thinking you don't want to get injured. You try to give everything for your country, like Dorothy and Erin have been doing. It's just unfortunate," the prop added. Djougang scored one of Ireland's tries in Saturday's 26-19 defeat to Scotland, among four in total for the powerful Leinster prop over the course of the championship. It saw an otherwise positive Six Nations campaign end on a sour note for Scott Bemand's side, but she believes Ireland will be a better team from their experience at the Hive last week. "It was definitely very disappointing, but we knew why it was disappointing. "I think that's something that we can definitely build on. We knew that we probably didn't execute our gameplan and that we didn't kick where we needed to kick. "Equally we didn't take our opportunities. We definitely are learning. This year's Six Nations has been going well for us, and had also been eye-opening for us, to what we can do and where we want to get to. We're quite lucky that we have another opportunity now in the summer to rectify those mistakes against Scotland. "We know what we're capable of and now, going into the summer, we have two games against Scotland and Canada and we definitely want to head to the World Cup with a good head on our shoulders," she added.
