Rachel Malcolm says Scottish Rugby's handling of player contracts during the 2022 Women's World Cup left some squad members feeling unsupported and mentally strained. The Scotland captain, speaking at the launch of the 2026 Women's Six Nations, described the situation as a 'hard read' and stated the treatment 'wasn't good enough'. This followed revelations that a quarter of the players faced contract uncertainty just two months before the tournament, with some deals ending immediately after the event.

Players reported significant mental health impacts, including one experiencing a breakdown, while others were forced to search for jobs during the competition. Annual contracts ranged from £18,000 to £27,000, with many players relying on this income. Scotland reached their best World Cup quarter-final since 1999, but off-field struggles were severe. Scottish Rugby now claims processes have improved, with players reporting 'huge communication' and feeling 'listened to'.

Malcolm, preparing for the Six Nations under new coach Sione Fukofuka, emphasized the need for ongoing change to ensure player happiness and support.