Having led the under-20s last year, former internationalist Louise Dalgliesh will be head coach of the Scotland women’s under-21s this year.
Scotland have three games coming up at under-21 level in the Six Nations Series with the first against England at Hive Stadium on April 18.
Matty Douglas, who was involved with the under-20 programme last year, is assistant coach, bringing further experience from his 2024/25 role with Edinburgh Rugby’s Celtic Challenge side where he served as a defence coach.
Joining the programme as forwards coach is Ross Young who has also been coaching with Edinburgh during the 2025/26 season.
Completing the coaching group is Caity Mattinson who will take on the role of skills coach and assisting Dalgleish with attack.
Having recently retired from playing, former England and Scotland cap Mattinson is currently working as schools rugby manager for Banbury RFC down south. She represented Scotland across two Rugby World Cup campaigns, multiple Six Nations championships and two WXV competitions, earning 37 caps.
Dalgliesh said: “I’m really excited for the opportunity this Six Nations Series presents for the players and the wider programme and I’m delighted to have a strong coaching team alongside me.
“Matty, Ross and Caity all bring great knowledge, energy and different experiences to the programme and I’m looking forward to working with them as we prepare for the tournament and then during the event.
“It’s vital that our best young players continue to have the opportunity to test themselves against top opposition and build their experience at the highest level, the under-21s is an important building block within the women’s pathway.
“Having two home fixtures at Hive Stadium is also a brilliant opportunity for the players as representing Scotland on home soil with supporters to get behind the next generation of talent coming through the pathway is exciting.
Scottish Rugby’s head of women’s performance and pathways Andy Rhys-Jones added: “This is an exciting coaching group leading the under-21 side into a new Six Nations competition and format. The under-21 programme is a crucial part of our player pathway and plays a key role in supporting the long-term development of high-potential players.
“In recent years we’ve seen players such as Alex Stewart, Leia Brebner-Holden, Molly Poolman and Lucia Scott progress through the age-grade programme to full caps and that underlines the importance of providing young players with exposure to international game time.”
After the England game on April 18, the under-21s are away in France on May 2 to play at the Stade Maurice Trelut in Tarbes and then they host Italy at the Hive on May 10.
Further details, including a squad announcement, will be confirmed in due course.
Louise Dalgliesh is pictured – thanks to Scottish Rugby
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