Hannah Ramsay is set to make her Scotland debut off the bench versus Italy in Viadana on Friday evening after impressing since she joined the wider squad for training during the Guinness Women’s Six Nations.
The Edinburgh University and Edinburgh Rugby playmaker, 21, will be wearing shirt number 22 for the Summer Test match in the Stadio Luigi Zaffanella (6.30pm UK time, live on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer) and could become cap number 248 if she gets on.
“She is young and she has got a lot to learn, but she is a really talented kid and she deserves this opportunity,” Scotland head coach Bryan Easson said.
“We are not in the position with a World Cup around the corner just to give people a shot, she has been performing excellently on the training pitch, she is so diligent around learning and she is finding her voice.
“As a young player it can be hard to do that, but a 10 needs to have that voice and I think experienced players around her like Helen Nelson, Lisa Thomson, Rachel Malcolm and others have really been helping her out in that respect.
“She has really impressed me and I am excited to see how she does if she gets a chance off the bench in this game and going forward.”
A taster session at her primary school in South Queensferry first got her into rugby and then, after time at Linlithgow and Livingston, she played for Corstorphine Cougars in the top flight.
In 2024/25, the under-20 cap who was once out for a long spell with an ACL knee injury was turning out for Edinburgh University in the BUCS Super Rugby competition before joining up with Edinburgh for the Celtic Challenge and now Scotland.
Captain Rachel Malcolm said: “Hannah’s a fantastic person first and foremost.
“She came into the squad last year and she’s got an incredible skill set. She’s a real classy rugby player. I probably liken her to an Emma Orr-type player in terms of she just oozes natural talent.
“I think the biggest challenge that Hannah’s had over the last year is trying to gain confidence in driving the game as a 10. I think to see the developments that she has made in that regard has been phenomenal. She’s worked extremely hard.
“I’m really excited for her getting this opportunity, she absolutely deserves it and she’s definitely ready.”
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.
Tickets for Scotland-England at Murrayfield in April 2026 can be purchased here.
Hannah Ramsay is pictured – thanks to Edinburgh Rugby
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