When the lone piper on the Murrayfield roof concluded, allowing the crowd to finish 'Flower of Scotland,' an electric atmosphere swept through the stadium.
Scotland's players were visibly moved, with tears in their eyes, as a record-breaking audience for a standalone women's sporting event in Scotland roared in support. Even England's world champions, accustomed to massive crowds at Twickenham, paused to absorb the historic moment.
Then the match began, and the mood shifted dramatically. England delivered a commanding performance, scoring 12 tries to secure a decisive victory over Scotland. Captain Rachel Malcolm later described it as a 'baptism of fire' for her team, acknowledging the harsh lessons learned on such a significant day.
'Today was a baptism of fire and they exposed our weaknesses,' Malcolm told reporters. 'This was a brilliant test for us, but we hoped to put in a better performance.'
Scotland faced this challenge with a relatively inexperienced squad, missing key players like Evie Gallagher, Sarah Bonar, Emma Orr, and Lisa Thomson. Eight members of the matchday team had fewer than 10 caps, highlighting the transitional phase under head coach Sione Fukofuka. In contrast, England's bench included seasoned veterans like Sarah Bern and Marlie Packer, who combined for three tries.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, young talents such as number eight Emily Coubrough and debutant Rianna Darroch showed promise. However, the sheer scale of the task proved overwhelming for a team still finding its footing. The day, while emotionally charged and historic, also served as a stark reality check for Scotland's aspirations in the tournament.