Ex-England captain slams Scottish Rugby for leaving players “disrespected” before World Cup

Scotland’s women’s rugby team may have stormed to victory in their World Cup opener, but controversy off the pitch threatens to overshadow their campaign.

Former England captain Katy Daley-McLean has accused Scottish Rugby of failing to treat its players “respectfully” amid a bitter contract dispute that has unfolded in the build-up to the tournament. Speaking on the BBC Rugby Union Weekly podcast, the 2014 World Cup-winning fly-half condemned the way Scotland’s governing body has handled negotiations, warning that the saga risks undermining the players’ achievements on the field.

“The women’s game needs to be treated respectfully, and at the moment I would argue that Scottish Rugby haven’t done that,” Daley-McLean said. “What Scotland did on Saturday was in spite of that, not because of it.”

The remarks come after weeks of unrest between the national squad and the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU). In June, the organisation’s chief executive, Alex Williamson, promised that contract concerns would be resolved before the tournament began. However, when the 32-player squad was announced, winger Rhona Lloyd revealed that more than half of the players would be left without contracts after the competition concludes.

Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm described the situation as “very disruptive” and admitted that it had cast a shadow over preparations. BBC rugby union reporter Sara Orchard also branded the ongoing row “an unwanted distraction” that the squad would struggle to escape.

Despite the turbulence, Scotland delivered a stunning performance in their first World Cup clash, thrashing Wales 38-8 in Salford. Francesca McGhie stole the show, running in three tries as her side crossed the line six times in total. The win gives Scotland a strong chance of reaching the knockout stages, though the off-field controversy shows no signs of quieting.

Daley-McLean was emphatic in her support for the Scottish players, who face Fiji in their next pool match. “No players should be put in that position by their union,” she said. “You want Scotland to thrive and you want people like Rachel Malcolm to go on and have an awesome World Cup. The issue is whether these conversations should be happening six weeks out from a World Cup, forcing the players to defend decisions that should be handled by their governing body.”

The criticism has intensified as head coach Bryan Easson confirmed he will step down after the tournament, adding another layer of uncertainty to the team’s future.

For Daley-McLean, the mismanagement represents more than a contractual oversight. She argues that it demonstrates a lack of foresight at a pivotal moment for women’s rugby. “Players are more powerful now and Scotland have everyone’s attention. Yet instead of building momentum, the union has left the squad fighting battles that should never have landed at their feet,” she said.

The controversy also raises broader questions about how women’s sport is treated by national federations. As the popularity of women’s rugby continues to grow, supporters and former players have called for greater investment, stability, and transparency.

Scotland’s on-field resilience has earned praise, but behind the scenes, the fallout continues. While the squad focuses on progressing in the World Cup, the players remain without clarity over their professional futures. As Daley-McLean warned, their victories risk being remembered not only for the tries scored, but for the contracts denied