Why win is essential for Wales in Six Nations against Scotland

Wales have slumped to 12th in the world rankings

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They say what goes up must come down, and that has certainly been the case with the Wales women's rugby team in recent years.

After turning professional in 2022, Wales enjoyed successive third-place finishes in the Six Nations, soaring in 2023 to their highest world ranking of sixth.

They became one of the best-paid professional women's teams as the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) made up for years of under-investment, but results worryingly dried up.

Sean Lynn's appointment as head coach last year sparked fresh optimism, but even a three-time Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) title holder has so far been unable to transform a Wooden Spoon side into a winning team.

During his first 12 months, Wales lost all five Six Nations games and all three World Cup pool games - their only victory in 2025 coming on the summer tour of Australia.

But now that Lynn has had the luxury of time, pressure is on him and the players to deliver, starting with Saturday's Six Nations opener against Scotland at Principality Stadium (16:40 BST).

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Reputations on the line

Lynn inherited much of Ioan Cunningham's old regime, but this is the first campaign where he has truly been able to put his own stamp on the squad and staff.

After what must have been a brutal post-World Cup inquest, Shaun Connor (attack coach) and Mike Hill (forwards coach) made way for Ashley Beck and Steve Salvin.

Tyrone Holmes left Scotland's set-up to become Wales' first full-time defence coach, while the playing group has been freshened up with nine potential debutants.

And as far as we know there are no off-field issues disrupting preparations, so reputations are about to be put on the line.

"It's a high performance sport," said Lynn.

"I learned a lot about myself [last year]. I learned a lot about the group and I learned a lot about the programme.

"Those small changes that I've made within the programme itself, the Celtic Challenge, what we're looking at coming into camp, I'm hoping we will start to see the big difference in that."

Tandy shows the way

Should Lynn need any inspiration, he need not look far across the office.

Wales men's head coach Steve Tandy helped his side end a three-year Six Nations losing streak with a final-round victory over Italy last month, while performances in defeat offered plenty of encouragement.

It is hoped the women can turn a similar corner in their campaign.

"I've worked really closely with Steve Tandy, I've been into his camp, it's an open environment," said Lynn.

"That's what we're about, supporting each other as a nation."

Wales captain Kate Williams said: "We can be inspired by them [Wales men], but we're not limited to what they're doing as well.

"We're looking internally about what we can do and finding confidence in ourselves to then be able to put out our own performance and write our own story."

Inspiration has also been drawn from other Welsh sporting stars, including boxer Lauren Price who retained her world titles in Cardiff last weekend.

"Something like Saturday night inspired me massively," Lynn said.

"We are one Wales and we are such a proud nation, that for me was who we are and what we're about."

Guinness Women's Six Nations

11 April to 17 May

Watch every match live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app; listen to match commentaries on BBC Radio 5 Live, Sports Extra and BBC Sounds; follow live text and match highlights online

Former New Zealand Navy officer Kate Williams will captain Wales in the 2026 Women's Six Nations

No grudges and starting strong

Wales could be forgiven for holding a grudge after the way Scotland bullied them off the park in their World Cup opener last summer, a defeat which crushed Wales' knockout hopes.

In fact, Wales have not tasted victory over the Scots in over three years, having previously held the upper hand.

But Williams said they have tried not to dwell as they enter a new World Cup cycle.

"We do have fire in the belly there, but also it's a bit of a fresh start for us as well, and we're looking forward," she said.

"We're not looking to carry all of that through to the Six Nations.

"When we step out there, it's not just fuelled by emotion, it's fuelled by belief in ourselves and our abilities."

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With powerhouses France and England waiting in rounds two and three, Wales know all too well the importance of hitting the ground running against Scotland.

"It's always important to try to get the first win as quickly as possible, but I think we're also looking for a performance," said Williams.

"We're looking for something to build on as we go through the tournament.

"We can't be looking at France and England before we look at Scotland first, it's step by step."

And perhaps there is no better time for Wales to play their Celtic rivals.

Scotland arrive in Cardiff with a bit of the unknown. They have several key players, such as Evie Gallagher, Lisa Thomson and Fran McGhie, missing through injury.

They also have a new head coach in Sione Fukofuka who has had very little time to make an impression.

The captain Rachel Malcolm has warned "there might be a step back in some areas", but if Wales are going to learn any lessons from the past, they know not to underestimate their opponents.

Few gave Scotland a hope of beating Wales last August amid all the uncertainty surrounding player contracts in the build-up to the World Cup.

But Scotland showed a desire and a passion that Wales will need to at least match this weekend if they are to claim their first Six Nations win since April 2024.

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