Scotland Stun Wales in Cardiff Classic as Women’s Six Nations Delivers Historic Opening

If the opening weekend of the Women’s Six Nations had a defining image, it was Scotland’s players collapsing in celebration at the Principality Stadium while Wales’ players sat devastated on the same pitch, seven minutes past the full-time whistle. It was a moment of raw sporting heartbreak and joy, compressed into the same breath.

Wales had given everything. Trailing 24-12, they clawed their way back to within five points deep in the closing minutes. As the clock slipped into the red, they were defending their own try line under immense pressure, phase after phase, the crowd willing them on. A fumbled lineout in the dying seconds ended their hopes of a first Six Nations victory since 2024, and Scotland held on for a famous win.

The 10,569 spectators who packed the national stadium — the only game held there during this year’s championship — witnessed a record attendance for a fixture between the two teams in Wales. The Welsh Rugby Union chose the Principality as part of its commitment to growing the women’s game, staging at least one match a season at the venue. The hope is that bigger crowds follow. There was a sense that the occasion deserved more than the number the stadium could offer, with Cardiff Arms Park and Cardiff City Stadium both capable of holding significantly more.

Wales head coach Sean Lynn said after the match that he was “super proud” of his players despite the result. “The fight and the character that those girls showed at the end, to be playing phase after phase from their own try line, is what we’ve been going after,” he said. “For me it was a Test match. The improvement we’ve made from the World Cup to where we are now, you can clearly see it.”

Scotland’s new head coach, Sione Fukofuka, who took over in December, celebrated his first win in charge. Fly-half Helen Nelson, named player of the match, said it was “always tight against Wales” but that she was proud of the squad’s full performance after only 12 days of preparation together.

Elsewhere in round one, England set a new Women’s Six Nations attendance record as 77,120 supporters packed Twickenham for their 33-12 victory over Ireland. The Red Roses now travel to Murrayfield on Saturday, where a crowd expected to exceed 25,000 awaits — Scotland Women’s first standalone game at the venue. France lead the table on points difference after a commanding second-half display against Italy in Grenoble and travel to Cardiff on Saturday as favourites for their clash with Wales.

It was a weekend that underscored the rapid growth of women’s rugby, both in atmosphere and in the quality of competition on display.