Scotland’s women are heading into the upcoming Test matches missing four important players due to injury.
During the Women’s Six Nations earlier in the year there were injured players missing for every match and, for the next outings in September and beyond, 35-cap centre Orr (ACL), 75-cap centre Lisa Thomson (achilles then another injury flaring up), 29-cap winger Francesca McGhie (shoulder) and four-cap No.8 Emily Coubrough (ankle) will not be available to interim head coach Dave Butcher.
“We’re obviously missing some real quality, outstanding players at the minute in Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson and Francesca McGhie and a youngster who is coming through like Emily Coubrough,” Butcher said.
“Emma is currently returning from an operation and is doing really well. I spoke to her recently and she’s right on track to be back, hopefully, for the Six Nations in 2027.
“Lisa is a little bit further ahead than where Emma is and the potential of having both of them back for the Six Nations is fantastic.
“She was coming back from the achilles injury, but then another injury flared up so it’s just about managing both those injuries at the minute unfortunately. Unfortunately, that happens sometimes when an injury impacts on another part of the body so we’re working really hard with Lisa’s club [Trailfinders Women] to ensure she comes back in the best shape.
“Quality players like Emma and Lisa, we want to make sure when they return into the squad they’re as at full fitness as they can be. Next year’s a really big year one as we want to have a really strong Six Nations and there’s Lions selections as well, which these types of players will have eyes on. We want to make sure that if they have aspirations for that then we’re bringing them back in the best possible physical condition.
“Fran had an operation recently and we’re just going to see how she comes out the back of that. It was a necessary operation, she had to have it so whether we see her for the Six Nations or a little bit after that will have to see
“And Emily, unfortunately with her ankle it is a little bit more complex and we have been trying to find the best way to treat her. I think one thing with Emily, she’s such a young player and we want to make sure that we take really good care of her at this moment in time and not rush her back.
“She’s got so many years ahead of her so our athletic performance staff and our medical staff are working really hard with her, one, to get her recovered from that injury and, two, spending time allowing her to develop as a physical athlete.”
The upcoming home Vodafone Scotland WXV Series campaign – part of the wider WXV Global Series presented by Mitsubishi Electric featuring the top sides in the world – begins for Scotland against the 2025 Rugby World Cup runners-up Canada on September 12 at Hive Stadium before welcoming New Zealand to these shores the following weekend on September 19 and then hosting Australia on September 26.
Scotland’s away WXV Global Series fixtures will take place against Australia on October 17 and October 23.
The injured quartet are pictured
It is shaping up to be an exciting 2026/27 season for women’s rugby in Scotland and GH Media will be covering it in detail – if any companies are keen to support this content please send an email to gary@gh-media.co.uk