Scotland women’s loosehead prop Leah Bartlett believes a win this weekend against Australia can “propel” the team forward after a tough 2026 so far.
In the calendar year to date the Scots have won just one out of seven matches and that has seen them slip down from seventh to eighth in the world rankings.
Over the last two weeks they have lost out heavily to Canada and New Zealand at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh in the WXV Global Series competition, but on Saturday ninth in the world Australia – who have also won one from seven this year – will be at the same venue and the hosts will be targeting a victory here.
Not only would a win stop their losing run, it would also set them up well for two Tests that are to come in WXV over in Australia in October.
It will by no means be easy at the Hive against an Australian team that pushed France close last time out, but it is certainly a game for Scotland to target.
Bartlett, whose mum was born on Lewis and whose dad is from just outside Inverness, said: “Whenever you go out to play for any team you play for, but especially Scotland with the thistle on your chest, you’re always striving to win the next game.
“And I think even more so now we really want to focus on the outcome being a win for us this weekend, I think it can propel us forward as a team.
There’s been glimpses of positive stuff against Canada and New Zealand and we created so many opportunities against three and two in the world.
“Now it is about just being able to execute those chances more regularly.
“By no means is it going to be an easy game, but hopefully we’ll be able to push on this weekend.
“The support that we get at the Hive is always incredible, we always love being at home.”
Bartlett, the 28-year-old who has 56 caps and plays her club rugby in England for Sale Sharks, is enjoying working under interim head coach Dave Butcher who was a front-rower himself back in the day.
“It’s really cool working with Dave,” she stated.
“Obviously, he was a front-rower when he played as well so he understands the dark arts and the nuances of front-row play which is really great.
“If’s there’s a problem that we don’t necessarily know how to solve in the minute in training or in a match, he is a different set of eyes which is always so helpful.
“When you’re in the thick of it and you’re like ‘well, I’ve tried everything that I normally would to combat what they’re doing and nothing’s quite working’ having another set of eyes from up in the stands is always super helpful, especially a set of eyes like his as he is that is a little bit more adept to knowing what’s going on in the front-row.
“As a pack, I think we’re definitely coming on leaps and bounds under him.”
Next up in the final game of the Vodafone Scotland WXV Series campaign – part of the wider WXV Global Series presented by Mitsubishi Electric featuring the top sides in the world – for Scotland is Australia this coming Saturday at the Hive.
Scotland’s away WXV Global Series fixtures will take place against Australia on October 17 and October 23.
Leah Bartlett is pictured
It is shaping up to be an exciting 2026/27 season for women’s rugby in Scotland and GH Media will be covering it in detail – if any companies are keen to support this content please send an email to gary@gh-media.co.uk