By Gary Heatly
It only seems like yesterday that the Scotland squad were defeating Colombia to make it through to the World Cup and then hotfooting it back to BT Murrayfield to be out on the pitch at half-time in the men’s Scotland-France game.
However, in the last few weeks members of Bryan Easson’s squad have been playing for their clubs and training hard ahead of the 2022 TikTok Women’s Six Nations that begins on March 26.
It will be the first year that a complete five game tournament has been played in its own window away from the men and the under-20s and the first time a five game event has been played since the pandemic came.
As a result, the excitement is building, especially for a Scotland team on the rise who have won five of their last six Tests.
The 2022 championship will also see all of Scotland’s games broadcast across BBC channels, with Scotland’s first two matches against England and Wales being shown on BBC Two and the remaining three fixtures being broadcast on BBC Scotland.
With a new event brings new opportunities and Scotland have called up former judoka Alison Wilson and youngster Emma Orr to the national squad for the first time ahead of the showpiece event with the duo and Meryl Smith looking to make their international debuts in the coming weeks.
Heriot’s tighthead prop Wilson and Biggar centre Orr are the new faces in a 35-strong playing group for the showpiece event that begins when the Scots host world number one side England at the DAM Health Stadium in Edinburgh in 10 days time.
Edinburgh University stand-off/centre Smith was in Dubai for the recent successful World Cup qualifying trip, but was not in the matchday 23 versus Colombia and will be keen to get a chance in the upcoming few weeks.
The other three players added to the 30 who travelled to the UAE are more experienced ones in the shape of Watsonians’ centre Hannah Smith (back from suspension), DMP Durham Sharks’ winger Abi Evans (recovered from a head knock) and Saracens’ hooker/back-row Jodie Rettie (finished a block of police training).
On the uncapped trio of Wilson, Orr and Smith and what impact they could make between now and April 30, head coach Easson said: “Alison is a prop that is playing at Heriot’s, her background is in judo and she has competed in that sport at a high level. She has a real tough edge about her and we want to build the prop stocks that we have.
“Emma is a really exciting prospect, she has been involved in the sevens programme and played particularly well for them year. To be able to bring in another player who can push the experienced midfielders is brilliant.
“And Meryl is a 10/12 and her core skills are very good, she is also an excellent kicker as well which will allow us to look at progressing our game over time.
“We are going into a new format of event with three games, then a week off, then two games so we need a big squad.
“And we also want to look at blooding some players ahead of the World Cup.”
Back-row Rachel Malcolm is captain once again with stand-off/centre Helen Nelson her deputy. Back-row Jade Konkel, hooker Lana Skeldon, stand-off Sarah Law and full-back Chloe Rollie could all reach 50 caps during the event which runs until April 30.
Scotland squad for the TikTok Women’s Six Nations:
Forwards:
Leah Bartlett (Loughborough Lightning) – 12 caps
Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning) – 12 caps
Sarah Bonar (Harlequins) – 25 caps
Lisa Cockburn (Worcester Warriors) – 23 caps
Katie Dougan (Gloucester Hartpury) – 15 caps
Eva Donaldson (Edinburgh University) – 1 cap
Evie Gallagher (Stirling County) – 8 caps
Jade Konkel (Harlequins) – 49 caps
Rachel Malcolm (Loughborough Lightning, C) – 24 caps
Rachel McLachlan (Sale Sharks) – 24 caps
Louise McMillan (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 31 caps
Lyndsay O’Donnell (Worcester Warriors) – 15 caps
Jodie Rettie (Saracens) – 18 caps
Lana Skeldon (Worcester Warriors) – 48 caps
Emma Wassell (Loughborough Lightning) – 52 caps
Alison Wilson (Heriot’s) – uncapped
Molly Wright (Sale Sharks) – 10 caps
Anne Young (Edinburgh University) – 1 cap
Backs:
Shona Campbell (Edinburgh University) – 2 caps
Abi Evans (DMP Durham Sharks) – 15 caps
Megan Gaffney (Loughborough Lightning) – 39 caps
Coreen Grant (Saracens) – 1 cap
Sarah Law (Sale Sharks) – 48 caps
Rhona Lloyd (Les Lioness du Stade Bordelaise) – 33 caps
Caity Mattinson (Worcester Warriors) – 1 cap
Jenny Maxwell (Loughborough Lightning) – 36 caps
Mairi McDonald (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 7 caps
Liz Musgrove (Watsonians) – 10 caps
Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning, V-C) – 37 caps
Emma Orr (Biggar) – uncapped
Chloe Rollie (Exeter Chiefs) – 45 caps
Hannah Smith (Watsonians) – 30 caps
Meryl Smith (Edinburgh University) – uncapped
Lisa Thomson (Sale Sharks) – 40 caps
Evie Wills (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 3 caps
Full fixture list here
Head along and support the Scotland team in the 2022 TikTok Women’s Six Nations as tickets for both of Scotland’s home fixtures are on sale now.
Adult tickets are £15, under-18 tickets at £5 and under-12s can attend for just £1 with a paying adult ticket – secure your tickets here
Thanks to Alison Wilson, Nigel Pacey and Rugby People for the photos – Alison Wilson is pictured in her judo days, Emma Orr (holding Plate) is with her dad James and sister Alison and Meryl Smith is playing for Edinburgh University