Latest news with #RachelMalcolm
Edinburgh Reporter
4 days 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
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Scotland v England at Murrayfield for Women's Six Nations
Scotland will play a first Women's Six Nations match in front of fans at Scottish Gas Murrayfield next year when they host Stadium, where Edinburgh play in the shadow of Murrayfield, has been Scotland's home for the last four 2024 the clash with England there was sold out, attracting a record Scottish crowd of 7,774 to a women's Scottish Rugby chief executive Alex Williamson says they want to to "celebrate" the "momentum" in the women's game by giving the players a bigger stage. "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," Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm said."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."Scotland have played at Murrayfield twice before. In 2002, they faced Sweden as a curtain-raiser to the men's November Test against in 2020 they played England behind closed doors after the game was rescheduled and moved from Scotstoun because of Storm Test with England on 18 April 2026 will therefore be the first standalone women's international at Murrayfield with fans and will be expected to break the record Scottish crowd.
The Courier
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Courier
Drivers 'may perform U-turns across A9' if Dunblane service station is built
Fresh plans for a new service station between Stirling and Perth have received objections over road safety fears. A proposal to build the facility on the northbound carriageway of the A9 was submitted to Stirling Council in March. It would be around 500 metres south-west of Balhaldie Farm, on land known as Firs of Kinbuck. The application seeks to create a petrol station, a shop, parking spaces, a picnic area and vehicle-washing facilities. The low-carbon design would contain hydrogen storage, a solar farm and electric vehicle charging. A previous version of the plan, with a hotel and restaurant, was refused in 2022. Locals fear the latest scheme would increase accidents, create more hazards and lead to drivers 'attempting dangerous U-turns across the A9'. Battery fires were also a major concern, while others claim there are already enough EV charging facilities nearby. Dunblane Community Council was against the plans and said it would be 'extremely dangerous' for southbound traffic. The objection read: 'It was very disappointing to see that this application again only proposes a very short out-slip onto the A9. 'This remains a major safety hazard in our opinion. 'There are six central reservation gaps between Dunblane and Greenloaning. 'The central reservation gaps mean that traffic flow in the vicinity is already turbulent so lorries in particular need adequate slip roads. 'They also encourage U-turns which are highly dangerous and which this facility will further encourage with staff from the south being tempted to avoid the trip to Greenloaning and for potential users of the facilities doing likewise.' Guy Spurway agreed the scheme would pose road safety issues. He wrote: 'This is the most lethal stretch of road already and this development would only make this worse and undoubtedly lead to an increase in tragic accidents and deaths. 'It is just not worth the loss of lives to satisfy the wishes of a developer and landlord (neither of whom live in the area and so don't use the road like we all do most days). 'It has been refused twice already I believe and whilst smaller in scale this time, I feel if granted consent it will likely expand over time and it will become an even more dangerous blackspot on the A9 – a local eyesore with very little local benefit whatsoever.' Rachel Malcolm said the application was 'unnecessary' due to other services in close proximity. She wrote: 'Since the beginning of this year there have been 15+ accidents on this stretch of the A9 so that really says it all.' Pete Bicheno described it as a 'close repeat of the previous application for this site with some added greenwashing'. David Prescott, a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, agreed and said there was 'no evidence' it was a low-carbon refuelling hub. He worries the HGV wash would risk polluting Allan Water and highlighted there are few hydrogen-powered and electric HGVs on UK roads. Rhys Stanwix, a mechanical engineer with 30 years experience, agreed and described it as a 're-run' of the previously refused application. He said the scheme would 'increase road safety and fire risk, all for no environmental benefit and no commercial gain to the Stirling area at all'. The objection read: 'There is a real risk that Grove UK, if granted permission, will merely build the petrol station and EV car charging points and ignore the rest.' Stirling Council will determine the planning application, which has had 16 objections. There is no recorded support for the plans. Official bodies, including Perth and Kinross Council, did not object when consulted.
BBC News
24-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Scotland aim to 'finish on high' against Ireland
Guinness Women's Six Nations: Scotland v IrelandVenue: Hive Stadium, Edinburgh Date: Saturday, 26 April Kick-off: 14:30 BSTCoverage: Watch live on BBC Scotland, iPlayer & online, follow live text and watch video highlights on BBC Sport website & app Captain Rachel Malcolm and scrum-half Leia Brebner-Holden return to the Scotland team for the final Six Nations outing of the year at home to pair missed last weekend's heavy defeat to England after suffering concussions in the previous loss to Bartlett comes in at loosehead, replacing Anne Young, who drops to the bench along with Becky Boyd, while there is no place for Caity Mattinson as Rhea Clarke continues to offer cover at number accommodate the Malcolm taking her usual place in the back row, Jade Konkel moves into the second row, her third different starting position of the are on 10 points and need one more in Edinburgh to be sure of third place following wins over Italy and sit six points behind the visitors, having lost three in a row since beating the Welsh on the opening weekend."This weekend is about finishing on a high," said head coach Bryan Easson. "It's about everything coming together post some really good performances and some really difficult stages in games."We've learned a lot about ourselves and now have an opportunity to put together those learnings on the pitch."Scotland finished one point behind the Irish in 2024, losing 15-12 in Belfast."Ireland are a very physical side and we have to fight fire with fire," added Easson. "I see it being tight. Last year was a difficult one for us to take."We believe we can put Ireland under pressure if we get our processes right."Scotland open their World Cup campaign against Wales in late August and will also meet Fiji and Canada, with matches taking place in Manchester and Exeter."We don't have long before we come back in for World Cup preparation," added Easson."I think we're on track. We've capped seven players in this Six Nations, we're working hard on growing the base around the squad." Line-up Scotland: Chloe Rollie, Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie, Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke – Bristol Bears, Jade Konkel, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (captain), Rachel McLachlan, Evie Elis Martin, Anne Young, Molly Poolman, Becky Boyd, Gemma Bell, Rhea Clarke, Evie Wills, Lucia Scott.
BBC News
17-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Scotland change two for 'huge task' against England
Guinness Women's Six Nations: England v ScotlandVenue: Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium, Leicester Date: Saturday, 19 April Kick-off: 16:45 BSTCoverage: Watch live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and online, listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, live text and video highlights on the BBC Sport website and app Captain Rachel Malcolm misses out with a concussion as Scotland make two changes for their Six Nations trip to England on suffered a head knock in the 25-17 home defeat by Italy last weekend, as did scrum-half Leia Helen Nelson will lead the team in Malcolm's Mattinson takes over at number nine and Jade Konkel comes in at number eight as Evie Gallagher moves to blindside flanker in place of McLachlan joins those two in the back row and will earn her 50th cap, while lock Becky Boyd stays in the team after making her first start against the are a trio of uncapped players on the bench, with Gemma Bell among the forward options, while Rhea Clarke provides scrum-half cover and centre Rachel Philipps could also make a potential opened with victory over Wales but are now fifth in the table after defeats by France and aiming for a seventh successive title, lead the way with three bonus-point have won all 23 Six Nations meetings with Scotland, the past five encounters settled by an aggregate score of 266-22."England have the ability to go through you physically, they also have the ability to go round you," said head coach Bryan Easson. "They can suffocate you defensively."They have such a good team, one to 15, or should I say one to 40. No matter what changes they make, they have world class players coming in."It's a huge task but one we are certainly up for."We were really disappointed with our performance against Italy so this is an opportunity to put that to bed and for this group to show the progress we have made." Line-ups England: Kildunne; Dow, Jones, Shekells, MacDonald; Aitchison, L Packer; Clifford, Atkin-Davies, Bern, Galligan, Ward, Aldcroft (capt), M Packer, Campbell, Botterman, Muir, Talling, Matthews, Hunt, Rowland, Rollie; Lloyd, Orr, Thomson, McGhie; Nelson (capt), Mattison; Young, Skeldon, Clarke, Bonar, Boyd, Gallagher, McLachlan, Martin, Bartlett, Poolman, Ferrie, Bell, Clarke, Phillips Scott.
