Tighthead prop Imogen Spence is the youngest member of the Scotland women’s squad that is currently building up to the Test matches in September and October and Moffat and Biggar rugby clubs are very proud of her.
The 19-year-old is one of four uncapped players in the 32-strong training group alongside Ceitidh Ainsworth, Nicole Flynn and Katie Buchanan.
She is highly regarded by interim head coach Dave Butcher, himself a former front-rower, and is in the squad to provide competition to Elliann Clarke and Molly Poolman in a key position.
The age-grade cap was in the wider squad for the Six Nations so has that block of training under her belt at this level already and she also turned out for the under-21s during that period.
Butcher said about the former Lockerbie Academy pupil who has come through the ranks at Moffat, Biggar and Edinburgh University and is now aligned to Glasgow Warriors: “Imogen Spence was with us right through the Six Nations campaign, but never got minutes.
“In a late maturity position such as a tighthead she’s already showing signs of being able to hold her own with some of our national team players.
“We see her as an exciting player for the future and she’s someone that could be in fighting it out for that tighthead berth with an Elliann Clarke and Molly Pollman for the next seven or eight years.”
Spence is an academy contracted player with Scottish Rugby and her rugby journey began at Moffat.
Moffat development officer Cammy Little said: “We are incredibly proud to have played a part in Immy’s rugby journey.
“Immy started her rugby career at Moffat and, at the time, was a huge part of our fantastic primary four/five Minis team. That team went unbeaten that season, regularly competing against much larger clubs and Immy was a massive contributor to that success.
“Her coaches at the time, Sandy Turner and Martin Coombes, were incredibly proud of her as Immy would often be the only girl playing in the team, but she never let that stand in her way. She worked incredibly hard, showed the utmost respect for the game and her team mates and always had a fantastic attitude.
“For a small rural club like Moffat, it is fantastic to see Immy progress through the pathway, including through our partnership with Biggar, to go on and play for Glasgow Warriors and Scotland age-grade teams and now be in the full squad. It is a brilliant example of what can be achieved when young players are given the opportunity, encouragement and support to allow them to develop.
“Immy still talks fondly about her time at Moffat and makes a real effort to come back, support the club and speak to our young players. That means a huge amount to us because she is not just someone they can look up to on the rugby field, she is someone they know has come through the same club.
“Her Scotland selection is a massive source of pride for everyone connected with Moffat and, hopefully, it will inspire the next generation of girls at the club to believe that they can follow a similar pathway.
“At the club, our girls’ rugby continues to grow, with girls involved across our age groups and dedicated girls’ sessions available for them as they progress through the pathway. Seeing players like Immy reach the highest level gives those young players something tangible to aspire to.
“As the club’s development officer, I think it is so inspiring to see someone from here in contention for a Scotland cap and Immy is such a fantastic role model for all our young players.
Nic Humphries, who is head coach of the women’s team and director of youth rugby at Biggar, said: “Imogen joined Biggar from Moffat at S1 age having enjoyed a summer camp and began quickly looking forward to the journey she could have within our girls’ section.
“It was quickly obvious that we had two very gifted girls in that squad in the shape of Imogen and Poppy Mellanby. As a result, they joined the club’s academy set up that year, they were incredibly extremely young, but the maturity and commitment which they showed in that environment was excellent.
“From a young age, Imogen was a naturally gifted leader who always acted and said the correct thing at the right time, she always seemed far more mature than her actual years.
“She has always been a great example of what commitment to training and the ability to self-evaluate can take you. To have achieved so much so early in her career is truly amazing, made even more impressive given that she plays in a position where you don’t usual mature until your mid-20s.
“Imogen remains an inspiration at Biggar – and I know at Moffat too – to both the boys’ and girls’ youth squads.
“We are incredibly proud to have had her at the club for six years and helped support her a little of her journey. We wish her all the best for the next few weeks with Scotland and we are sure she will continue to impress at the highest level.”
The upcoming home Vodafone Scotland WXV Series campaign – part of the wider WXV Global Series presented by Mitsubishi Electric featuring the top sides in the world – begins for Scotland against the 2025 Rugby World Cup runners-up Canada on September 12 at Hive Stadium before welcoming New Zealand to these shores the following weekend on September 19 and then hosting Australia on September 26.
Scotland’s away WXV Global Series fixtures will take place against Australia on October 17 and October 23.
Imogen Spence is pictured – thanks to Glasgow Warriors
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