Wales Fall to 10th in World Rugby Women’s Rankings After Defeat to Scotland

In the WXV 2 warm-up match, Ioan Cunningham’s team, sporting a new look, led 7–5 at the half after Megan Webb answered an Evie Gallagher try.

However, a try from Meryl Smith and two more goals from Francesca McGhie and Chloe Rollie saw Scotland easily win the game in the second half.

Wales have about averted suffering their worst-ever loss to Scotland thanks to a late goal from Nel Metcalfe. Nevertheless, it was Scotland’s greatest point total versus Wales, surpassing the 36-point mark that had been in place since 2000.

When the rankings are revised at noon on Monday (BST), Wales’ new rating of 73.49 points—after 0.79 points were subtracted—will place them below Italy and Ireland, who move up to eighth and ninth place.

Although Scotland is still ranked sixth, their increased rating of 76.78 points will allow them to catch up to Australia in fifth place by just 1.22 points.

At Kingsholm in Gloucester, England took on France in a rematch of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations 2024 championship match that took place back in April. Similar to their victory in Bordeaux, England prevailed 38–19.

Marlie Packer, Jess Breach, and Helena Rowland’s first-half tries put John Mitchell’s team ahead 19–0 at halftime.

In the second half, Packer scored first once more as England kept up the pressure, with goals from Breach and Lucy Packer coming next.

Pauline Bourdon Sansus, Agathe Sochat, and Romane Menager scored France’s tries in the second half.

The outcome will not change either team’s ranking; England will still be ranked first with 96.90 points, while France will be ranked fourth with 87.27 points.