‘Who says we can’t?’ Scotland Women want more of the limelight

The 30,498 gate at the national stadium made it the highest attended standalone women’s fixture to be staged in this country and the biggest crowd at a Scottish sporting event since the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles, which was played over three days.

The result was a chastening one for Sione Fukofuka’s team who lost 84-7 to a rampant English side hellbent on winning the Women’s Six Nations for the eighth year in a row.

The gulf between the sides looked bigger than ever but the feeling inside the Scottish camp is they can bounce back against Italy.

They are targeting third place in this season’s championship and, having won their opening match against Wales in Cardiff, are looking to this weekend’s round three game in Parma as another winnable fixture.

Targeting crowds of 40,000 and 50,000

Scotland have played most of their home games at Hive Stadium in recent years and will return to the 7,800-capacity ground for next month’s match with France. But given the numbers who turned up on Saturday, they could be back at the national stadium in the near future.

“We’re going to be playing France in the Hive, but who says we can’t do this [play at Murrayfield] more?” said Elis Martin, the Scotland hooker. “Next year we’ve got those three home games [in the Six Nations] - who says it can’t be something we do once, twice, maybe all three times?

“But we need the backing of everyone, don’t we? To sell 30,000 tickets is absolutely ridiculous, it’s amazing. But let’s say next Six Nations, we’ve got those three home games, maybe we go for 40, 50. Maybe we keep growing that. But I only want to play at Murrayfield if people want that, if that is the product that people want to see.

“So I hope so, and I would love that, and I’m sure the rest of the team would absolutely love that. But we need the people to keep showing up like they did on Saturday - which I’m sure they will, absolutely.”

Saturday’s crowd was swelled by a large travelling support and they were rewarded with a dozen England tries, all 12 converted by the impressive fly-half Zoe Harrison. Rhona Lloyd countered for the Scots with a fine try of her own, created by Helen Nelson’s vision and an assist from Chloe Rollie. But that was a rare bright spot for the home team on a day when the visitors proved just why they are the best in the world.

‘You’re bound to mess up’

It was Scotland’s heaviest defeat against England since the 80-0 loss at Twickenham in 2019 and the highest number of points conceded since the 89-0 defeat at the same venue in 2011.

Martin insisted allowances need to be made for the overhaul of playing staff and systems since Fukofuka took over in January.

“It’s a new coaching team, it’s almost an entirely new squad as well,” said the Loughborough Lightning front-rower. “Obviously there are a lot of people who have been retained, but the introduction of new people, new energies, new vibes, new plays, new everything is bound to unfortunately mess you up in certain places.

“But who’s to say that this four-year cycle isn’t the one where we do beat England in two years’ time, three years’ time, four years’ time? It’s just not to be right this second.”

Scorers: Scotland: Try: Lloyd. Con: Nelson. England: Tries: Kildunne 2, Jones, Clifford, Sing, Cokayne, Bern 2, Packer, Kabeya, Venner, Lutui. Cons: Harrison 12.