The 32-strong Scotland squad for the Women’s Rugby World Cup has been named in St Andrews.
The event in England runs from August 22 to September 27 and the Scotland pool matches are against Wales in Manchester on August 23, Fiji in Manchester on August 30 and Canada in Exeter on September 6.
Rachel Malcolm is the captain and there are 18 forwards and 14 backs making the trip. As already reported, Meryl Smith and Hollie Cunningham are out through injury while Gemma Bell, Aila Ronald, Rachel Philipps, Lucia Scott and Meg Varley from the wider training group are not in. Of those five, Scott is injured, but 81-cap hooker Lana Skeldon is included despite an injury scare last weekend versus Ireland.
World Cup debuts are coming for Becky Boyd, Adelle Ferrie, Lisa Cockburn, Molly Poolman, Beth Blacklock, Leia Brebner-Holden, Rhea Clarke, Francesca McGhie, Hannah Walker, Hannah Ramsay, Evie Gallagher and Alex Stewart.
The Clarkes – Elliann and Rhea – will make history as the first set of Scottish sisters to be selected for the same Rugby World Cup competition.
Scotland Women’s Rugby World Cup squad
Forwards: Leah Bartlett, Becky Boyd, Sarah Bonar, Elliann Clarke, Lisa Cockburn, Eva Donaldson, Evie Gallagher, Adelle Ferrie, Jade Konkel, Rachel Malcolm (C), Elis Martin, Rachel McLachlan, Molly Poolman, Lana Skeldon, Alex Stewart, Emma Wassell, Molly Wright, Anne Young.
Backs: Leia Brebner-Holden, Beth Blacklock, Rhea Clarke, Coreen Grant, Rhona Lloyd, Caity Mattinson, Francesca McGhie, Helen Nelson, Emma Orr, Hannah Ramsay, Chloe Rollie, Lisa Thomson, Hannah Walker, Evie Wills.
The Scotland Women’s Rugby World Cup squad is pictured in St Andrews – thanks to Scottish Rugby
From August 7 until September 30, GH Media will be following the Scotland World Cup journey all of the way. We will be at all of the Scotland matches down south and will be bringing you all of the interviews and news from camp as well as taking a wider look at the tournament as a whole and its impact on the women’s game. Thanks to Quirky Chocolate and other supporters for allowing this content to happen and to readers for engaging with it.