Scotland supporters in Viadana on Friday evening and those tuning in on TV could be set to see the “best yet” from “warrior” Emma Wassell as she plays for her country for the first time in 15 months.
The second-row from Ellon, who was first capped back in 2014, has recovered from a tumour in her chest to play in the Summer Test match versus Italy in the Stadio Luigi Zaffanella (6.30pm UK time, live on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer).
Last August, she spent nearly two weeks in hospital after the tumour was discovered during Scotland’s 2024/25 pre-season training block.
She then had one operation before a second, a full sternotomy, came in November.
Since then, she has been working her way back to full fitness, most recently as part of a 38-strong training group and, with the Women’s Rugby World Cup squad to be named in early August, the 30-year-old now has a chance to show that she is back to her best on her 68th cap.
Captain of the team Rachel Malcolm is her close friend and said: “I’m trying not to think about it too much because I’ll probably get emotional, but I think it’s a pretty mental journey that she’s been on so to have her back amongst the squad has been brilliant in terms of her leadership, particularly from a set piece point of view.
“She’s probably one of the best set piece second-rows in the world so to have someone of that calibre come back into our lineout has been brilliant.
“But I think on a personal level to have her energy and her personality around the group is something that we definitely missed. I know as a group we’re just super excited to have her back on the pitch with us.
“I think anyone that’s trained with her in the last couple of weeks definitely knows she’s ready. She’s been putting in shots when she shouldn’t be and you can tell she’s absolutely champing at the bit to get out there and play full contact. She has said it herself, she is done talking, now she wants to play.
“I think she’s ready to go out and stamp her mark on this match.
“She’s definitely ready and I think we’re probably going to see the best yet [from her].”
There was not a dry eye in the Scotland hotel team room on Thursday evening in Italy when Wassell was presented her match jersey and head coach Bruan Easson added: “I think the word warrior is branded about far too much, but I think when you’ve understood what Emma’s gone through over the last while then that really is a warrior.
“She has carried herself well, held her head up high and worked so hard to get back to this point.
“I can’t speak highly enough of what she’s done, it is exceptional.”
Elsewhere in the matchday 23 to face Italy, full-back Lucia Scott, centre Evie Wills, winger Coreen Grant and second-row Adelle Ferrie also join the starting XV from the one that last played versus Ireland in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations back in April. Scott, Wills and Ferrie are making their first starts for their country.
Molly Wright, Lisa Cockburn, Eva Donaldson, Alex Stewart, Caity Mattinson and the uncapped Hannah Ramsay join the bench.
Of the key players missing, “Sarah Bonar had a little bit of a niggle about three or four weeks ago, but now she’s in a great place, just not quite ready for this one” according to Easson while Emma Orr, Francesca McGhie and Jade Konkel will “all be training next week”.
Scotland squad to play Italy: Lucia Scott; Rhona Lloyd, Evie Wills, Lisa Thomson, Coreen Grant; Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke, Emma Wassell, Adelle Ferrie, Rachel Malcolm (C), Rachel McLachlan, Evie Gallagher. Subs: Elis Martin, Molly Wright, Lisa Cockburn, Eva Donaldson, Alex Stewart, Caity Mattinson, Hannah Ramsay, Chloe Rollie.
- May Campbell, the Saracens hooker who grew up just outside Dunblane and first played rugby for Stirling County in the Minis, giving the Bridgehaugh club a shout out here after she was named in the England squad for the World Cup.
- Scotland cap Eilidh Sinclair, who was at the last World Cup, has signed a new deal with Exeter Chiefs.
Tickets for Scotland-England at Murrayfield in April 2026 can be purchased here.
Emma Wassell, right, is pictured in Italy with team mate Caity Mattinson – thanks to Ruby Adam Photography
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