Why win is essential for Wales in Six Nations against Scotland

Wales have slumped to 12th in the world rankings [Huw Evans Picture Agency] They say what goes up must come down, that has certainly been the case with Wales women's rugby team in recent years. After turning professional in 2022, Wales enjoyed successive third-place finishes in the Six Nations, with 2023 seeing them soar to an all time-high world ranking of sixth. They became one of the best paid professional women's teams as the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) made up for years of under investment, but results worryingly dried up.

Sean Lynn's appointment as head coach last year sparked fresh optimism, but even a three-time Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) title holder has so far been unable to transform a Wooden Spoon side into a winning side. During his first 12 months, Wales lost all five Six Nations games and all three World Cup pool games - their only victory in 2025 coming on the summer tour of Australia. But now Lynn has had the luxury of time, the pressure is on him and the players to deliver, starting with Saturday's Six Nations opener against Scotland at Principality Stadium (16:40 BST).

New faces but old rivalries as Wales host Scotland Two new caps for Wales' Six Nations opener Reputations on the line Lynn inherited much of Ioan Cunningham's old regime, but this is the first campaign where he has truly been able to put his own stamp on the squad and staff. After what must have been a brutal post-World Cup inquest, Shaun Connor (attack coach) and Mike Hill (forwards coach) made way for Ashley Beck and Steve Salvin. Tyrone Holmes left Scotland's set-up to become Wales' first full-time defence coach, while the playing group has been freshened up with nine potential debutants.

And as far as we know there are no off-field issues disrupting preparations, so reputations are about to be put on the line. "It's a high performance sport," said Lynn. "I learned a lot about myself [last year].