Back three player Lucia Scott has broken her hand and has missed out on selection for the Women’s Rugby World Cup with Scotland.
The 21-year-old suffered the injury in the 27-21 Summer Test defeat to Ireland in Cork on Saturday when she was winning her seventh cap. In the first half of that game she scored an excellent try, her second for her country, and her missing the big dance in England is a blow for her and the team.
Scott’s first call up to the senior Scotland squad came ahead of the 2024 Vodafone Series and then WXV 2 in South Africa, with her first cap coming against Wales in a 40-14 win at Hive Stadium.
She scored her maiden try against Fiji in her second appearance.
Scott qualifies for Scotland through her grandparents Anne and Kenneth, having previously gained aged-grade honours with England.
She has been involved with Gloucester-Hartpury through the pathway programme and then into the senior squad for a number of years and has played for Hartpury University in BUCS Super Rugby and Edinburgh Rugby in the Celtic Challenge. Recently she signed for Loughborough Lightning ahead of the 2025/26 PWR campaign.
Confirming the news re her injury, Scotland head coach Bryan Easson said: “Unfortunately she broke her hand in Ireland. She had three fractures in her hand so she required surgery for that and there will be a little bit of a rehab time for her. We’re hoping it’s not going to be too long so, if we did go through the tournament and we had any injuries, we’re hoping that she would be available [at some stage].
“She’s had the surgery so we wish her well. It’s obviously really disappointing to lose anybody at the final hour going into World Cup selection. She was not just playing well, but training well and she has a big future ahead of her.
The 32-strong Scotland squad for the showpiece event was named in St Andrews on Thursday with uncapped Hannah Walker taking the spot vacated by Scott.
The event in England runs from August 22 to September 27 and the Scotland pool matches are against Wales in Manchester on August 23, Fiji in Manchester on August 30 and Canada in Exeter on September 6.
Scotland Women’s Rugby World Cup squad
Forwards: Leah Bartlett, Becky Boyd, Sarah Bonar, Elliann Clarke, Lisa Cockburn, Eva Donaldson, Evie Gallagher, Adelle Ferrie, Jade Konkel, Rachel Malcolm (C), Elis Martin, Rachel McLachlan, Molly Poolman, Lana Skeldon, Alex Stewart, Emma Wassell, Molly Wright, Anne Young.
Backs: Leia Brebner-Holden, Beth Blacklock, Rhea Clarke, Coreen Grant, Rhona Lloyd, Caity Mattinson, Francesca McGhie, Helen Nelson, Emma Orr, Hannah Ramsay, Chloe Rollie, Lisa Thomson, Hannah Walker, Evie Wills.
Lucia Scott is pictured – thanks to Scottish Rugby
From August 7 until September 30, GH Media will be following the Scotland World Cup journey all of the way. We will be at all of the Scotland matches down south and will be bringing you all of the interviews and news from camp as well as taking a wider look at the tournament as a whole and its impact on the women’s game. Thanks to Quirky Chocolate and other supporters for allowing this content to happen and to readers for engaging with it.