It’s that time of year again… the GH Media very unofficial Scotland end of Guinness Women’s Six Nations tournament awards.
Scotland’s forward of the W6Ns: Evie Gallagher (pictured in main image by Ruby Adam Photography)
Even though she was suspended for the France match, back-rower Evie Gallagher to have a massive influence for Scotland during the competition.
In 276 minutes on the pitch over four games the 24-year-old won 11 turnovers, scored one try, hit 38 defensive rucks and made 44 carries and six offloads.
Scotland’s back of the W6Ns: Francesca McGhie (pictured by Scottish Rugby)
Maybe Scotland did not get the ball to their back three as much as they would have liked this time around, but when they did Francesca McGhie made metres and what’s most pleasing is the way she has developed her game.
Early in her career she stuck on her wing, but now she goes looking for work and the team use her in that manner as 26 defenders beaten, nine line breaks and 251 metres made shows in the 373 minutes she was in the pitch in five games.
Scotland’s young players of the W6Ns: Molly Poolman and Becky Boyd
Two of seven new caps given their chance during the tournament as head coach Bryan Easson looks to grow the group and the level of competition before the Rugby World Cup and they did a good job.
They are both just 20, but the tighthead prop and the second-row/back-row were given debuts off the bench in the sold-out cauldron in La Rochelle against France in round two and have performed well whenever called upon since.
Scotland’s unsung heroes of the W6Ns: Adelle Ferrie and Sarah Bonar (latter pictured by N50 Photography)
To go from club and Celtic Challenge rugby to international rugby at the age of 27 in a matter of weeks takes some doing, but Corstorphine Cougars second-row stood up to the task and showed she has what it takes to perform at this level.
And with the second-row group changing quite a bit for this tournament 31-year-old Sarah Bonar stepped up in terms of leadership this time around while her performances were very consistent and her intercept and kick ahead versus Ireland was great to watch. A try came versus Wales in a win too.
Scotland’s best show of leadership of the W6Ns: Being brave versus Ireland (pictured by N50 Photography)
Coming off the back of three defeats in a row and the last of those being a 59-7 reverse in England, Scotland could have crumbled when an in-form Ireland team went 7-0 up at Hive Stadium in round five.
Credit to head coach Bryan Easson and captain Rachel Malcolm then for telling the players all week in the lead up to that one to be brave as it stuck in the players heads, allowed them to fight back and then score the very important last gasp winning converted try.
Scotland’s bring a smile to the face moments of the W6Ns: Rachel McLachlan winning her 50th cap, superfan Millie Rorison meeting the squad, goddaughter’s visit to captain’s run and match ball delivery by nursing staff from Ward 102 at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary (latter pictured by Scottish Rugby)
Rachel McLachlan has been a key part of the Scotland squad for a number of years now and brings energy to the group on and off the pitch so it was nice to see her reaching the half century milestone versus England.
Millie Rorison, 12, made the while squad personalised glasses for the Wales game and then, in the lead up to the Ireland game, was invited to watch training at Oriam and got to spend time with the players.
On a similar note, Gary Heatly from GH Media’s goddaughter Bella Matthews, 10, was able to head up to the Oriam pitches on a lovely sunny Saturday to meet the players at the captain’s run before the Italy match and they were great with her, chatted away and it was a lot of fun – skipper Rachel Malcolm and co really are excellent role models.
Finally, before the Ireland game staff members from Ward 102 at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary were given the honour of delivering the match ball and it was great to see them getting public acknowledgement for what they do and how they have helped Scotland second-row Emma Wassell.
GH Media will be covering Scotland women’s journey right through to Rugby World Cup 2025, bringing insight from within the camp throughout and featuring other parts of the game in this country too – thanks to those already supporting the content, if you or your company would like to get involved please email gary@gh-media.co.uk