Scotland women’s interim head coach Dave Butcher has named a 32-strong training squad for the Vodafone Scotland WXV Series matches in September.
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 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, but for now the trio of home games are the focus for Butcher and his new trio of assistants Chris Laidlaw, Tom Luke and Robbie Fergusson.
Here’s a look at the squad by numbers…
916 Caps.
18 Forwards, 591 caps between them.
14 Backs, 325 caps between them.
14 ‘Players Supported in Scotland’ who are part of the 47-strong group contracted by Scottish Rugby this season includedwith Holland Bogan, Elliann Clarke, Elis Martin, Molly Poolman, Alex Stewart, Anne Young, Leia Brebner-Holden, Rhea Clarke, Nicole Flynn, Rachel Philipps, Hannah Ramsay, Chloe Rollie, Lucia Scott and Evie Wills in there.
10 ‘Non-Scotland Based Supported Players’ who are part of the 47-strong group contracted by Scottish Rugby this season included with Leah Bartlett, Sarah Bonar, Evie Gallagher, Rachel Malcolm (C), Rachel McLachlan, Lana Skeldon, Emma Wassell, Rhona Lloyd, Helen Nelson and Meryl Smith in there.
3 ‘Academy Contracted Players’ who are part of the 47-strong group contracted by Scottish Rugby this season included with Imogen Spence, Aicha Sutcliffe and Ceitidh Ainsworth in there.
5 non-Scottish Rugby contracted players included with Hollie Cunningham, Eva Donaldson, Demi Swann, Katie Buchanan and Shona Campbell in there.
4 uncapped players included in the shape of Imogen Spence, Ceitidh Ainsworth, Katie Buchanan and Nicole Flynn.
10 Glasgow Warriors players involved.
7 Edinburgh Rugby players involved.
6 English and French clubs represented covering 15 players – Sale Sharks (4), Harlequins (1), Bristol Bears (4), Trailfinders Women (3), Montpellier (1), Exeter Chiefs (2).
3 players listed as injured and out of the September games in the shape of Francesca McGhie, Lisa Thomson and Emily Coubrough.
The squad will convene on August 10 to begin their preparations.
The Vodafone Scotland WXV Series squad (caps in brackets):
Forwards
Leah Bartlett – Sale Sharks (54)
Holland Bogan – Glasgow Warriors (5)
Sarah Bonar – Harlequins (51)
Hollie Cunningham – Bristol Bears (7)
Elliann Clarke – Glasgow Warriors (29)
Eva Donaldson – Sale Sharks (26)
Evie Gallagher – Bristol Bears (40)
Rachel Malcolm – Captain – Trailfinders Women (64)
Elis Martin – Edinburgh Rugby (30)
Rachel McLachlan – Montpellier (59)
Molly Poolman – Edinburgh Rugby (12)
Imogen Spence – Glasgow Warriors (uncapped)
Lana Skeldon – Bristol Bears (87)
Alex Stewart – Edinburgh Rugby (20)
Aicha Sutcliffe – Glasgow Warriors (2)
Demi Swann – Exeter Chiefs (5)
Emma Wassell – Trailfinders Women (78)
Anne Young – Glasgow Warriors (22)
Backs
Ceitidh Ainsworth – Glasgow Warriors (uncapped)
Leia Brebner-Holden – Edinburgh Rugby (20)
Katie Buchanan – Exeter Chiefs (uncapped)
Shona Campbell – Sale Sharks (14)
Rhea Clarke – Glasgow Warriors (4)
Nicole Flynn – Glasgow Warriors (uncapped)
Rhona Lloyd – Sale Sharks (66)
Helen Nelson – Trailfinders Women (80)
Rachel Philipps – Edinburgh Rugby (4)
Hannah Ramsay – Edinburgh Rugby (2)
Chloe Rollie – Edinburgh Rugby (86)
Lucia Scott – Glasgow Warriors (12)
Meryl Smith – Bristol Bears (27)
Evie Wills – Glasgow Warriors (10)
Evie Gallagher is back fit and is pictured – thanks to Ruby Adam Photography
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