Scotland women's national rugby league team
| Team information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Governing body | Scotland Rugby League | |
| Region | Europe | |
| Head coach | John Whalley | |
| IRL ranking | 19 9 (17 November 2025)[1] | |
| Uniforms | ||
| ||
| Team results | ||
| First international | ||
| Wales 18–12 Scotland (Neath, Wales; 3 August 2025) | ||
The Scotland women's national rugby league team represents Scotland in women's rugby league. They are administered by Scotland Rugby League.
History
In May 2018, Scotland Rugby League announced that they would include a women's section at their development day and sought to find players eligible to play for a Scotland women's team.[2] The following year Andrea Dobson was appointed to be the first head coach for a women's national team to be launched with the aim of taking part in the 2021 Women's Emerging Nations World Championship.[a][3] However, in March 2020, rugby league in Scotland was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in August 2020, the tournament was cancelled, leading to the establishment of a Scotland women's team being postponed.[4][5]
In February 2025, Scotland Rugby League announced a new coaching setup for the women's team, with John Whalley taking on the role of head coach.[6][7] The first train-on squad for the Scotland women's team was announced in April 2025 along with plans for their initial matches, later confirmed to be against Wales in August and a tri-series with Jamaica and England Community Lions beginning in October.[8][9][10][7] Scotland were also invited to take part in the RFL Women's Nines in July 2025, but withdrew shortly before the competition.[7][11][b]
On 3 August 2025, Scotland made their international debut against Wales. Their first try was scored by Grace Field in the opening minutes of the match. Scotland, who trailed 12–10 at half time, drew level in the second half, but ultimately lost 18–12 with Wales scoring the winning try in the last two minutes of the match.[13][14] On 1 November 2025, Scotland recorded their first victory with a 38–12 win over Jamaica.[15]
Players
Squad for match against Wales on 3 August 2025:[12]
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Ciorstaidh Ainsworth | Stirling County RFC |
| Georgia Briggs | Oulton Raidettes |
| Grace Field | Leeds Rhinos |
| Demi Fisher | Swinton Lionesses |
| Betti Ginnelly | Stewartry Sirens RFC |
| Isabel Glover | Thatto Heath Crusaders |
| Kaiya Glynn | Leeds Rhinos |
| Abi Gordon | Leigh Leopards |
| Stephanie Gray | Salford Red Devils |
| Charlotte Hill | Swinton Lionesses |
| Enya Lackie | Bristol Golden Ferns |
| Rebecca Moffat | Cartha Queens Park RFC |
| Morgan Pearson | Swinton Lionesses |
| Sammi Simpson | Swinton Lionesses |
| Rebecca Smart | London Broncos |
| Sarah Smart | London Broncos |
| Nicole Stewart | Barrow Raiders |
| Evie Tonkin | Workington Town |
| Emma Welsford | Swinton Lionesses |
Results
| Date | Score[c] | Opponent | Tournament | Venue | Video | Report(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 August 2025 | 12–18 | Wales | International | The Gnoll, Neath, Wales | [16] | [13][14] |
| 18 October 2025 | 4–18 | England Amateurs | Friendly | Pilkington Recs, St Helens, England | [17] | |
| 1 November 2025 | 38–12 | Jamaica | International | Featherstone Lions, Featherstone, England | [15] |
Upcoming fixtures
- Las Vegas 2026[18]
- United States, in Las Vegas in February 2026
Notes
- ^ This would have been held as part of the 2021 Festival of World Cups
- ^ Note that several members of the Scotland squad for their first international played for clubs that took part in the 2025 Nines[12]
- ^ Scotland score given first
References
- ^ "IRL World Rankings: Women". International Rugby League. 17 November 2025. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
- ^ "Women's Development Day". Scotland Rugby League. 18 May 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
- ^ "Scotland appoint Dobson as Women's Head Coach". Scotland Rugby League. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
- ^ "Scotland Rugby League suspends all rugby in Scotland". Scotland Rugby League. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
- ^ Shaw, Matthew (27 August 2020). "Festival of World Cups postponed". Total Rugby League. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ "Scotland Women's Rugby League announce new coaching team". Scotland Rugby League. 16 February 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
- ^ a b c "Scotland Women to make debut". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3485. 16 June 2025. p. 2.
- ^ "Scotland Women name 2025 train-on squad". Scotland Rugby League. 27 April 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
- ^ "England, Jamaica, Scotland to contest women's tri-series". International Rugby League. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
- ^ "Wales to host Scotland Women's international debut ahead of England clash". International Rugby League. 2 July 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
- ^ "Wigan Warriors retain Women's Nines title in remarkable fashion". Total Rugby League. 6 July 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Wales and Scotland Women name squads for historic clash". European Rugby League. 1 August 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Wales Women work hard for win over Scotland". Wales Rugby League. 3 August 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Scotland beaten by Wales at the last in thrilling international debut". Total Rugby League. 3 August 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Jamaica 12 38 Scotland". European Rugby League. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- ^ "Wales v Scotland - Live Rugby League - English Commentary - S4C". YouTube. S4C Chwaraeon. 3 August 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
- ^ "Match Report". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3503. 20 October 2025. p. 20.
- ^ "USA Hawks to Face Scotland Bravehearts in Historic Triple-Header in Las Vegas 2026". International Rugby League. 21 August 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2025.