Scotland head coach Bryan Easson said there were some “very tough decisions” to be made before he settled on his 38-strong Women’s Rugby World Cup extended training squad.
The group will convene next week for the start of summer training camps all leading up to warm-up Summer Tests and then the main event in England in August and September.
At the start of August, the squad will be cut to 32 for the World Cup.
Twenty-eight of the group played during the Guinness Women’s Six Nations earlier in the year with Lisa Cockburn, Eva Donaldson, Emma Wassell, Molly Wright, Beth Blacklock and Coreen Grant the capped players added.
Uncapped quartet Aila Ronald, Hannah Ramsay, Hannah Walker and Meg Varley are also included.
Notable absentees in the Scotland extended training squad named include playmaker Meryl Smith, who is rehabbing an ACL injury still and is very unlikely to be fit in time, tighthead prop Christine Belisle, who stepped back from things during the Six Nations due to “putting brain and family time first” and 58-cap second-row/back-row Louise McMillan.
The 2022 World Cup squad members Mairi McDonald, Liz Musgrove and Shona Campbell are not in and neither are second-row Fi McIntosh who has earned a few caps in the last couple of years and experienced scrum-half Jenny Maxwell.
Everyone is excited to see 30-year-old 67-times capped second-row Wassell back in the mix, though, after recovering from a tumour in her chest and she, Hollie Cunningham, Grant and Varley are tracking well in terms of their respective rehabs.
“I’m really pleased we are now at the stage of naming an extended training squad ahead of what is going to be a huge summer for women’s sport,” Easson said.
“As we saw through this year’s Six Nations, there are good players missing out on selection and I think that’s testament to the depth we’ve developed, the consistency of performances and the competitive standard being set week in and week out. Selection has been based entirely on performance and that’s driven some very tough decisions.
“As we move into this crucial preparation period, we’re focused on sharpening every detail and pushing ourselves to the next level.
“The months ahead are vital as we build towards the summer and set our sights firmly on competing at the World Cup.
“We’ve named a strong, competitive group that blends hard-earned experience with exciting young talent. I was particularly pleased with how our debutants and uncapped players performed during the Guinness Women’s Six Nations – both in training and in matches – and this window gives them a chance to step up and show us more.
“It’s also fantastic to welcome back Emma Wassell, Coreen Grant, Hollie Cunningham and Meg Varley, all of whom have worked hard to return from injury and are now fit and available for selection, back into the mix.
“Their return adds even greater strength and competition to the squad.”
Scotland so far have one warm-up Summer Test to come versus Ireland in Cork on August 2 confirmed with another in the offing and then they will head to Manchester for pool matches with Wales and Fiji in the World Cup itself on August 23 and 30 respectively.
Then comes Canada in Exeter on September 6 and a potential quarter-final on September 13 or 14 in Bristol.
Scotland’s extended 38-strong training squad for the Women’s Rugby World Cup:
Forwards: Leah Bartlett, Gemma Bell, Becky Boyd, Sarah Bonar, Elliann Clarke, Hollie Cunningham, Lisa Cockburn, Eva Donaldson, Evie Gallagher, Adelle Ferrie, Jade Konkel, Rachel Malcolm, Elis Martin, Rachel McLachlan, Aila Ronald, 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, Rachel Philipps, Hannah Ramsay, Chloe Rollie, Lucia Scott, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Hannah Walker, Evie Wills, Meg Varley.
Scotland are pictured during their most recent match versus Ireland in April – thanks to Mark Brown
GH Media has covered Scotland women’s journey to this point and will be covering Scotland women’s journey right through to the end of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, bringing insight from within the camp throughout and featuring other parts of the game in this country too – thanks to those already supporting the content, if you or your company would like to get involved please email gary@gh-media.co.uk