Doyle announces squad for South Africa

Scotland Women Head Coach Philip Doyle has named his squad to go to South Africa for his side's first tour.

The tour, at the end of September, will include two test matches against South Africa Women and will be the first matches under Doyle’s lead.

The squad features a mix of experienced Scotland Women players as well as some new faces who will be looking to receive their first cap for the national side.

Loughborough Lightning’s Helen Nelson will be taking on the role as tour captain following a successful season as captain of the Scotland Women 7s squad.

Nelson will be joined in the squad by fellow Lightning players Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm, Rhona Lloyd and Jenny Maxwell.

A large Scottish based contingent has been named in the squad with representatives from almost all clubs in the Tennent’s Premiership League. Watsonians players Hannah Smith and Megan Gaffney will be joined by local rivals Mairi Forsyth and Emma Wassell from Corstorphine Cougars.

Forwards Megan Kennedy, Panashe Muzambe and Louise McMillan from Stirling County, Edinburgh University and Hillhead Jordanhill respectively, will be looking to add to their cap count with these test matches.

There will be seven Darlington Mowden Park (DMP) representatives on the tour with Lisa Thomson and Lisa Cockburn being joined by new DMP Sharks players Liz Musgrove, Sarah Law, Rachel McLachlan, Lana Skeldon and Abi Evans.

Experienced Scotland Women players Jade Konkel and Chloe Rollie will be joining the squad as well as Mhairi Grieve and Jodie Rettie.

Three players have been introduced to the squad. Canadian born Christine Belisle from Cartha Queens Park has come to the Scotland Women set up from the Scottish Qualified Programme, having played at Cartha for three years. She will be joined by Scottish Futures players Sarah Denholm (Edinburgh University), who received two Scotland Women 7s cap over the summer and Anne Young from Edinburgh University.

Philip Doyle said on the selection: “I am really excited to see what this squad can produce in South Africa. We have had two very successful training camps with large numbers of players involved. There are a lot experienced players who have not been selected for this tour. Selection has been tough and this is due to the increasing standards of all players. This can only bode well for the rest of the season and shows the depth that we are able to add to the squad.

“I have been really impressed with Helen and she did a fantastic job leading the Scotland Women 7s this season. I am looking forward to seeing how she embraces this opportunity before I finalise my decision on captain for the season.

“Christine has been part of the development squad having come through the Scottish Qualified process. I really liked what I saw from the start, specifically her physicality when it comes to tackle and breakdown.

“Sarah came from the Scottish Future U20 squad where she stood out straight away with an impressive work rate. I was impressed with her fitness as well as her great understanding of the shape we want to play this season.

“Anne is another young player that I have brought into the squad this year. She, like Sarah, is a quick thinker and a quick learner and both have excellent behaviours on and off the field.

“Standards are going up and these two players are exactly what we are looking for. I believe that both Sarah and Anne will come back from South Africa as better players having had the experience of playing and training with the rest of this squad.

“I am using this tour to very much look forward to the future and bring these three new players on the journey with us.”

Scotland Women will play two test matches in Cape Town against South Africa. The first will be on Monday 30 September at 4pm (BST) followed by the second test on Saturday 5 October at 2pm (BST).

Scotland Women squad to travel to South Africa

Forwards
Christine Belisle (Cartha Queens Park)

Sarah Bonar (Loughborough Lightning)

Lisa Cockburn (Darlington Mowden Park)

Mairi Forsyth (Corstorphine Cougars)

Megan Kennedy (Stirling County RFC)

Jade Konkel (Harlequins)

Rachel Malcolm (Loughborough Lightning)

Rachel McLachlan (Darlington Mowden Park)

Louise McMillan (Hillhead Jordanhill)

Panashe Muzambe (Edinburgh University / Watsonians)

Jodie Rettie (Saracens)