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Apr 13, 2026

Scotland clinches dramatic comeback against Wales in record‑crowd Women’s Six Nations showdown at Cardiff

AI Summary
In a thrilling opening‑weekend match at the Principality Stadium, Scotland overturned a 24‑12 deficit to defeat Wales 27‑22, witnessed by a record 10,569 Welsh supporters. The win marked coach Sione Fukofuka’s first victory, while Wales coach Sean Lynn praised his side’s improvement since the World Cup. The fixture highlighted growing interest in women’s rugby, alongside record attendances elsewhere in the tournament.

Scotland staged a late comeback to beat Wales 27‑22 in what was hailed as the best match of the opening weekend of the Women’s Six Nations, played at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

The game attracted 10,569 spectators, the highest ever attendance for a Wales‑Scotland women’s clash on Welsh soil, though the venue’s 74,500‑seat capacity meant the atmosphere fell short of the stadium’s potential.

Wales, led by head coach Sean Lynn, fought back from a 24‑12 halftime hole, narrowing the gap to five points in the closing minutes. Despite a valiant effort from their own try line, a mishandled line‑out in the dying seconds denied them a first Six Nations win since their 22‑20 victory over Italy in 2024.

Scotland’s triumph was especially significant for new head coach Sione Fukofuka, who secured his inaugural win since taking the reins in December. Fly‑half Helen Nelson, named player of the match, praised the team’s defensive resilience and the blend of experienced and emerging talent.

The match formed part of the Welsh Rugby Union’s strategy to showcase the women’s game in the national stadium, with plans to host at least one fixture there each season, hoping larger crowds will follow.

Across the tournament, England set a new attendance benchmark with 77,120 fans at Twickenham for their 33‑12 win over Ireland, while upcoming fixtures promise further milestones: Scotland will play a standalone game at Murrayfield before heading to Dublin, and France, after a strong second‑half display against Italy, now sit atop the table on points difference.

Looking ahead, Wales will face France at Cardiff Arms Park, where two of the three stands are already sold out, as the team aims to build on the “fight and character” displayed in Saturday’s encounter.