By Harry Corish
Wales Women are confident they can beat Scotland on Saturday to back up their astonishing comeback victory over Ireland which ignited their Six Nations campaign.
In what will be a crucial game for Wales moving forward, they will bid to put themselves among the title contenders by making it two wins from two in the tournament in front of what is likely to be a record attendance for a stand-alone women’s game in Wales.
Siwan Lillicarp’s team got their championship off to a flying start last Saturday, beating Ireland Women 19-27 at the RDS. in Dublin. It was Wales’s first win in the tournament since 2019, and also marked the first win since professional contracts were given to female players for the first time in Wales.
In what was a tense game, Wales were behind with eight minutes to go, before Donna Rose’s two tries inspired the Welsh team to a brilliant win out in Dublin.
The Welsh Women are now hungry to continue their momentum by backing up their excellent performance out in Dublin as they move ahead into Saturday’s game. Beating Ireland away from home is a much-needed morale boost which, combined with the potential win at the Arms Park, could spark the beginning of something very special for the women’s game in Wales.
https://twitter.com/BBCScrumV/status/1509489071466369024
Donna Rose is hopeful that this performance signals bright things for the team moving forward. “I feel like it clicked on the weekend… But it’s the start of the journey and so we are in it now and we are all prepared to give it everything it takes to stay there,” she says.
Player of the Match, Alisha Butchers, was also adamant that this is the beginning of something special for the sport:
“We are doing everything we can, we are pushing ourselves every single day to be that group of people that changes the sport here in Wales and I do believe that win on Saturday was definitely needed, and I think the only way is up from here.”
While Butchers asserts that there has been a change in mentality within the team following their superb win, it is now crucial that the Welsh side can back that performance up with a win against a strong Scotland side.
• #HerStory: Episode 2 •
Here's your exclusive look behind the scenes at last week's preparation ahead of Ireland. ⬇️
Clywch beth sy'n digwydd yn ystod cyhoeddiad y tîm a beth sy'n cael ei ddweud yn yr ystafelloedd newid hanner amser.
➥ Kindly narrated by @Tanni_GT
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) March 31, 2022
“After Saturday it only took about half hour to say we’ve done this now, but in seven days’ time we are going to be facing a strong Scottish side and good teams back it up. That’s what we need to do Saturday and we are confident going into the game,” Butchers says.
“It wasn’t a complete performance and there are a lot of things we can get better, but I think it’s a great start.”
Wales Women’s head coach, Ioan Cunningham and his team have made a big impact on this side already and Donna Rose was quick to heap praise on the coaching staff following the win against Ireland: “a big shout out to our coaches, they’ve come in and been absolutely brilliant. I think we’ve always wanted it and had it mentally, but our bodies give us that (the win) with the rest and recovery that we’ve now received. We are working hard!”.
Women’s Six Nations 🏉🏆
Round Two’s up!
After perfect predictions last weekend former Wales flanker Nic Evans, shares her thoughts.
“Closest will be Wales v Scotland, with Wales too strong in the last quarter. Could be a tough afternoon for Ireland in France.”#TikTokW6N pic.twitter.com/1n9tilK4Lt
— Progressive Rugby (@ProgressiveRug) April 1, 2022
The Tic Tok Women’s Six Nations is now a standalone tournament, bringing with it a new wave of interest and excitement, the likes of which haven’t really been seen before in women’s rugby. Wales will be hoping to capitalise on this interest as they start to build a bond with the fans on Saturday against Scotland.
Butchers explains, “It’s good to have our own spotlight and to not be in the shadow of the men’s or the under 20’s and I think that is shown with the record-breaking crowds over the weekend. I think it’s a positive thing for the sport.”
The only way us up from here and we are looking to put in an even better performance this weekend.”
