'Bit of an insult': new Scotland Women coach dismisses Six Nations dead rubber claim

Fukofuka, who succeeded Bryan Easson, will take charge for the first time on Saturday in his side’s championship opener against Wales in Cardiff. Scotland will then host England at Murrayfield in round two in front of a record crowd which is expected to be around 30,000.

England, the overwhelming tournament favourites, won the Rugby World Cup last year and have not lost in the Six Nations since 2018. A story in one English newspaper on Thursday suggested that they were too good for the Six Nations and that the championship felt like a dead rubber before a ball had been kicked.

Fukofuka recognised England’s strength but said the other teams were worthy of more respect.

France would have a lot to say

“You've got to acknowledge that England have been the best team in the world for a long time, but to say that it's a dead rubber is a bit of an insult to the teams that are coming through,” said Fukofuka. “I think France would have a lot to say around that.

“Obviously, we're going to go out there and approach that game and compete as well as we can. And the fact that we are playing the world number one is actually exciting. It gives us an opportunity to see where we're at, what we need to build on.

“And for us, obviously, it’s the start of a four-year cycle, what do we need to then develop over the next four years so that we step into that World Cup in 2029 really confident that we're there to compete.”

The match against England at Murrayfield on April 18 is set to be the highest-ever attended women’s sporting event in Scotland since the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles.

Meanwhile, Fukofuka has selected Emily Coubrough to make her Scotland debut in Saturday’s game against Wales. The 19-year-old Glasgow Warriors No 8 replaces Jade Konkel-Roberts who retired after the World Cup.

There could also be debuts off the bench for Demi Swann, Holland Bogan and Rianna Darroch.

Scotland team to play Wales

Scotland Women (v Wales, Guinness Women’s Six Nations, Principality Stadium, Saturday, 4.40pm):

Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Meryl Smith, Shona Campbell; Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke, Emma Wassell, Hollie Cunningham, Rachel Malcolm, Alex Stewart, Emily Coubrough.

Replacements: Elis Martin, Demi Swann, Molly Poolman, Holland Bogan, Eva Donaldson, Rianna Darroch, Evie Wills, Lucia Scott.