The Scots could collect the wooden spoon a year after their historic World Cup run. Why has progress stalled so dramatically?
Is it a World Cup hangover? Or a growing injury list? Or something else? These are the questions Scotland supporters are asking themselves in the midst of a disappointing Women’s Six Nations. This was a tournament where legends such as Donna Kennedy were hoping for a third-place finish; the fact the team could end up with the wooden spoon is staggering, especially considering their historic World Cup run last year.
Scotland reached the last eight for the first time since 2002 and did so in convincing fashion. They defeated Fiji, their win over Wales was dominant and they challenged Canada, the eventual runners-up, in their final pool match. They were blown away by England in the quarter-final but it was nonetheless a successful campaign. The tournament’s end brought a close to Bryan Easson’s time in charge of the team and a whole new coaching staff were employed.
In came Sione Fukofuka, who was previously in charge of the United States team. So far he has won only one of their four games, which came in the first round of the Six Nations, against Wales. That performance was, on the whole, positive, but it should not be forgotten that Wales almost came back to win in the closing minutes of the contest.
