Scotland stars Rachel McLachlan and Chloe Rollie have urged Scotland’s under-20 squad to enjoy every minute of the Six Nations Women’s Summer Series in Wales.
The young Scots are in Ystrad Mynach for matches at the Centre for Sporting Excellence facility versus England on July 5 (6pm), the hosts on July 11 (6pm) and Ireland on July 17 (1pm).
Since last year’s inaugural Summer Series in Italy, five players from that under-20 squad have gone on to earn their first senior caps for Scotland – Leia Brebner-Holden, Lucia Scott, Molly Poolman, Rhea Clarke and Gemma Bell.
Also, Hannah Ramsay, Hannah Walker and Aila Ronald from last year’s squad are currently part of the 38-strong Scotland training group preparing for the ’omen’s Rugby World Cup.
Stars of the future can be made at events like this one and 51-times capped 26-year-old Montpellier back-row McLachlan said: “The pathway is amazing nowadays in Scotland.
“Back in my days we had a PDP [player development programme], but there was no under-20s regularly whereas now there are great pathways from clubs and schools into Scottish Rugby and the under-18s get to play at a Six Nations Festival and the under-20s are playing in the Summer Series.
“I think it has been incredible to see the growth of girls and women’s rugby in Scotland and the amount of young talent that is coming through to the top end of the game.
“To the under-20s in Wales, I would just saw go out and enjoy yourselves, don’t put too much pressure on yourselves and have fun doing what you are doing.
“You have put in all the hard work to get there so stick to your processes and play with smiles on your faces as you play your best rugby when you are having fun.
“Just enjoy the experience and the journey with your mates, all of the supporters and the senior squad members are behind you.”
Recently Scotland and the under-20s had a joint training session/hit out together at Hive Stadium which was beneficial for all involved and 75-times capped 30-year-old full-back Rollie who recent joined RCTPM in France added: “The opportunity the squad have down in Wales is massive.
“I didn’t have that type of opportunity as a young player coming through so it just shows where girls and women’s rugby is pushing to in Scotland.
“The girls just need to embrace this opportunity and run with it.”
Scotland supporters will be able to follow every moment of the action from the Summer Series as all matches will be streamed live on the Six Nations under-20 YouTube channel and the Scottish Rugby website.
And McLachlan, Rollie and their Scotland team mates have just finished week five of five of the Edinburgh-based pre-World Cup camps. After a break they will then build up to the Summer Tests/warm up games with the first one away versus Italy on July 25.
Scotland under-20 squad for the England game
Nicole Flynn (V-C); Emily Norval, Holly McIntyre, Lucy MacRae, Lisa Brown; Ceitidh Ainsworth, Rianna Darroch; Poppy Fletcher, Aicha Sutcliffe, Eilidh Fleming, Charlotte Russell, Aisha Zameer, Lily Crisp, Isobel Twigger, Merryn Gunderson (C). Subs: Megan Hyland, Kaylee McHugh, Faye Sutherland, Holly Wilson, Gemma Thomson, Rebekah Douglas, Poppy Mellanby, Freya MacColl.
Scotland’s under-20 squad for the Six Nations Women’s Summer Series
Forwards: Emily Coubrough, Karis Craig, Lily Crisp, Eilidh Fleming, Poppy Fletcher, Merryn Gunderson, Megan Hyland, Kaylee McHugh, Sophie Price, Megan Riach, Charlotte Russell, Aicha Sutcliffe, Faye Sutherland, Louise Taperell, Gemma Thomson, Isobel Twigger, Holly Wilson, Aisha Zameer.
Backs: Ceitidh Ainsworth, Lisa Brown, Rianna Darroch, Rebekah Douglas, Nicole Flynn, Scarlett Haddow, Emily Love, Freya MacColl, Lucy MacRae, Holly McIntyre, Poppy Mellanby, Emily Norval.
Tickets for Scotland-England at Murrayfield in April 2026 can be purchased here.
Merryn Gunderson is pictured alongside other captains/members of leadership groups from other nations ahead of the Summer Series
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