An increased number of 47 female players will be contracted for the 2026/27 season by Scottish Rugby as part of a revised contracting model in alignment with the new women’s performance and pathways system.
That number is up from 35 in 2025/26 and that is the number of the players that will be based in Scotland and aligned to Edinburgh Rugby (17) and Glasgow Warriors (18) . Of those, 25 will be ‘Players Supported in Scotland’ and 10 will be ‘Academy Contracted Players’. The other 12 players are ‘Non-Scotland Based Supported Players’ and will ply their trade in England and France.
Players who are selected for Scotland women are remunerated separately through the National Team Agreement irrespective of any Scottish Rugby contract or support they may receive. This ensures that players are paid for the time they spend in camp preparing for Test matches and match fees.
From the 35 players contracted last year Adelle Ferrie, Emily Norval and Sky Phimister are not on the new list while Leah Bartlett, Gemma Bell, Becky Boyd, Rhea Clarke, Rianna Darroch, Coreen Grant, Bethan Mathieson, Fi McIntosh, Holly McIntyre, Cat Moody, Rachel Philipps, Lucia Scott, Aicha Sutcliffe, Faye Sutherland and Evie Wills have all been added.
Of the players who played in the recent Women’s Six Nations for Scotland, Shona Campbell, Hollie Cunningham, Eva Donaldson, Louise McMillan and Demi Swann are not on the new list.
Last season only 18 contracted players were based in Scotland whereas now the number is 35 as mentioned and Edinburgh and Glasgow will certainly be bolstered for the Celtic Challenge.
A panel led by Scottish Rugby performance director David Nucifora, head of women’s performance and pathways Andy Rhys Jones and national team head coach Sione Fukofuka made the contracting decisions.
Scottish Rugby say they “will continue to provide support and access to a group of high-potential players through full performance support with the National Central Programme (NCP), National Academy Programme (NAP) and then playing their rugby with Edinburgh Rugby or Glasgow Warriors.
“Those players not receiving financial support or performance support from the NCP, NAP, Edinburgh Rugby or Glasgow Warriors remain eligible to be selected for Scotland.”
Andy Rhys Jones said: “Moving into a new Rugby World Cup cycle, this model is about creating the strongest possible future for the women’s game in Scotland and national team success.
“The increase in contract numbers and a move to players in Scotland being contracted to the professional clubs will see more players have the opportunity to develop in high performance environments and have a clear goal to build a competitive domestic system that supports success on the international stage.
“We recognise the significant value in the experiences gained by players in external competitions – where some critical players will continue their development – but our ambition is to strengthen the game in Scotland and create a performance system built around our two professional clubs and central programmes that allow us attract, develop and retain our top players.
“Bringing experienced international players together with the next generation of talent will help raise standards, accelerate development and strengthen the depth of our player pool in Scotland.
“Our focus continues to be establishing an aligned system and will continue to make announcements around how we intend to grow our performance system as we move into season 2026/27.”
Non-Scotland Based Supported Players
Leah Bartlett – Sale Sharks
Sarah Bonar – Harlequins
Evie Gallagher – Bristol Bears
Rhona Lloyd – Sale Sharks
Rachel Malcolm – Trailfinders Women
Francesca McGhie – Trailfinders Women
Rachel McLachlan – Montpellier
Helen Nelson – TBC
Lana Skeldon – Bristol Bears
Meryl Smith – Bristol Bears
Lisa Thomson – Trailfinders Women
Emma Wassell – Trailfinders Women
Players Supported in Scotland
Gemma Bell – Glasgow Warriors
Leia Brebner-Holden – Edinburgh Rugby
Holland Bogan – Glasgow Warriors
Becky Boyd – Glasgow Warriors
Elliann Clarke – Glasgow Warriors
Rhea Clarke – Glasgow Warriors
Emily Coubrough – Edinburgh Rugby
Rianna Darroch – Glasgow Warriors
Nicole Flynn – Glasgow Warriors
Coreen Grant – Edinburgh Rugby
Merryn Gunderson – Edinburgh Rugby
Elis Martin – Edinburgh Rugby
Fi McIntosh – Glasgow Warriors
Holly McIntyre – Glasgow Warriors
Emma Orr – Edinburgh Rugby
Rachel Philipps – Edinburgh Rugby
Molly Poolman – Edinburgh Rugby
Hannah Ramsay – Edinburgh Rugby
Chloe Rollie – Edinburgh Rugby
Aila Ronald – Edinburgh Rugby
Lucia Scott – Glasgow Warriors
Alex Stewart – Edinburgh Rugby
Hannah Walker – Edinburgh Rugby
Evie Wills – Glasgow Warriors
Anne Young – Glasgow Warriors
Academy Contracted Players
Ceitidh Ainsworth – Glasgow Warriors
Poppy Fletcher – Glasgow Warriors
Megan Hyland – Glasgow Warriors
Bethan Mathieson – Edinburgh Rugby
Poppy Mellanby – Glasgow Warriors
Cat Moody – Edinburgh Rugby
Imogen Spence – Glasgow Warriors
Aicha Sutcliffe – Glasgow Warriors
Faye Sutherland – Edinburgh Rugby
Talei Tawake – Edinburgh Rugby
The Scotland squad are pictured – thanks to N50 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