Scotland's women's rugby team is stepping out of the shadows, determined to transform from plucky underdogs into formidable contenders as they prepare for their Six Nations opener against Wales.
For years, the Scottish squad embraced the role of underdogs to drive progress in women's rugby. Now, they're ready to be seen as a team that commands respect and fear on the field.
Emma Wassell, a veteran who debuted in 2014, has witnessed this evolution firsthand. Her early international matches drew crowds in the low hundreds. Later this month, she'll take the field at Murrayfield before an expected 25,000 supporters—a record for a standalone women's sporting event in Scotland—when they face world champions England.
Wassell and her teammates have long fought for recognition, both from opponents and their own federation, pushing for better contracts, resources, and support to compete at the highest level.
"When you're labelled an underdog, you probably take a little bit of the pressure off you," Wassell told BBC Scotland. "But I believe we have that pressure to perform and succeed now. It might seem cliched, but it really is a privilege to have that level of pressure. It's about going out and doing it. I'm so proud to see the growing fan base and the crowds that we're getting, but what I truly care about is winning for Scotland."
As Scotland gears up to face Wales at Cardiff's Principality Stadium, memories of their 2017 victory—a narrow 15-14 win that ended a seven-year Six Nations drought—linger. Since then, the team has made significant strides, with one or two wins no longer seen as a major triumph. Coming off a quarter-final appearance in last year's World Cup, they're eager to shed the underdog label and embrace higher expectations.
With a new World Cup cycle underway and fresh coaching leadership, the squad feels a renewed sense of purpose. "We feel like we've been listened to," Wassell noted, highlighting the growing alignment between player ambitions and organizational support.
The team's journey reflects a broader shift in women's rugby, where increased visibility and investment are reshaping competitive landscapes. As Scotland prepares for the Six Nations, their focus is clear: to win, not just participate.