Five things we learned as Scotland kick-off with Wales win

It was a be Scotland wasted two good chances to open the scoring inside five minutes, failing to capitalise from a 5m lineout before coughing up possession on the Welsh line after Emma Orr cut through.  

But Bryan Easson’s side did eventually make the most of their dominant start when Evie Gallagher barreled over from close range for her fourth Test try. 

Wales’ riposte was swift, with Meg Webb finishing after captain Kiera Bevan’s quickly taken penalty. The Wales skipper converted to put the visitors ahead.  

One of the areas Scotland have aimed to improve in pre-season is their efficiency in the opposition 22, but on the evidence of tonight’s performance, they still have work to do in that department.  

Despite dominating large parts of the game, the hosts wasted multiple try-scoring opportunities. Meryl Smith was held up over the line and Scotland had a maul try chalked off when captain Rachel Malcolm was penalised for taking out a Welsh defender.  

Despite their dominance, Scotland’s failure to make the pressure count meant Wales, who didn’t threaten Scotland’s 22 after Webb’s try, led by two points at the break.  

If Scotland had been profligate in the opening 40 minutes, they were anything but in the opening minute of the second half as Francesca McGhie got on the end of Orr’s kick to score. Nelson converted. 

Chloe Rollie broke up the touchline and beat some poor Welsh tackling to score her 21st Test try and put Scotland in command, and the hosts finally cut loose in the final quarter when Smith crashed over on the hour, before the centre put through a lovely kick to put  Rollie through for her second try. 

Wales did grab a consolation late on through Nel Metcalfe but Scotland were comfortable winners. 

Here are five things we learned at Hive Stadium.  

A good start, but plenty to work on 

The message from the Scotland camp in the build-up to this match suggested they expected mistakes given so many of the team hadn't played for several months. 

The hosts were dominant throughout, but let too many chances slip in the first half. Whatever Bryan Easson and his coaches said at the break had the desired effect as Scotland were more direct and played with great tempo in the second half. 

There are areas to work on, but for a first run of the season, this was a good starting point. 

Inability to convert chances 

Scotland’s inability to convert pressure into points was an area identified by Easson and his coaching staff prior to this campaign. But it was the same old story tonight as Rachel Malcolm’s side huffed and puffed without breaking Wales’ rearguard down.  

Five opportunities went missing in the opening 40 minutes. On another day, Scotland could have been out of sight by the interval. 

Evie Gallagher outstanding 

The number eight was in outstanding form and showed her power and excellent footwork to score her try. She was a constant threat with ball in hand, whether linking with scrum-half Mairi McDonald off the back of Scotland’s scrum or carrying into the heart of the Welsh defence.  

Lineout remains an area of concern

Scotland’s lineout struggled during the Six Nations, and despite the return of the vastly experienced Sarah Bonar in the second row, it creaked again tonight.  

There is enough experience in the Scotland squad to fix the issue, while former Scotland hooker Fraser Brown will have words of wisdom to pass on to shore up that aspect of the game.  

Good impact off the bench 

Scotland named a strong bench, with Louise McMillan and Jade Konkel stalwarts of the team in years gone by – and the former made a good impact when she was introduced, carrying well in the build-up to the fourth try.  

Konkel played the final quarter in place of captain Malcolm on her return, but the star from the bench was debutant scrum-half Leia Brebner-Holden. She brought energy around the breakdown and a sharp service, while fellow debutant Lucia Scott showed her skill as she put McGhie over for her second try.

Scotland: Chloe Rollie (Scott 69); Francesca McGhie, Emma Orr, Meryl Smith, Coreen Grant; Helen Nelson, Mairi McDonald (Brebner-Holden 47; Leah Bartlett (Young 52), Lana Skeldon (Martin 68), Christine Belisle (Clarke 52) [Belisle 78], Fiona McIntosh (McMillan 57), Sarah Bonar (Donaldson 66), Rachel Malcolm (Konkel 51), Alex Stewart, Evie Gallagher. 

Tries: Gallagher (9), McGhie (41, 75), Rollie (54, 65), Smith (61) 

Conversions: Nelson (42, 55, 62, 66, 75)

Wales: Jenny Hesketh; Catherine Richards (Metcalfe 39), Meg Webb, Kerin Lake, Jasmine Joyce; Robyn Wilkins (George 52), Keira Bevan (c) (Jones 68): Gwenllian Pyrs, (Davies 55), Molly Reardon, Sisilia Tuipulotu (Rose 40), Natalia John (Pyrs 55), Gwen Crabb (Butchers 52), Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Gwennan Hopkins. 

Tries: Webb (16), Metcalfe (78)

Conversions: Bevan (17, 78)

Referee: Aurelie Groizeleau (France) 

Player of the Match:  Chloe Rollie