Head Coach Lindsey Smith has named the Scotland Women U18 team for their first round of the U18 Six Nations Festival against Italy U18 at Wellington College tomorrow (kick off 12pm) – live on YouTube. 

The front row is made up of loosehead prop Ellen Nimmo, hooker Emily Sansom and tighthead Jessica Combe. 

Pip Sutherland is joined in the second row by Layla Mitchell, with Rhianna Bodle (blindside) and Eve Mackay (openside) on the flanks. Estella Vaughan starts at number eight to round off the back row.  

Emma Wylie starts at scrum-half, working with stand-off Sophie Gilvear in the half-backs. Niamh Waters will partner with Robyn Allan at inside and outside centre respectively. 

Bethan Mathieson starts on the left wing, with Connie Sanderson on the right. Full-back Neve Murray completes the back three and starting team. 

Amy Vance, Juliet Ramsay, Danielle Kaschula, Lilly Clarkson and Gemma Gordon are primed to come on in the forwards, while Aoife Powrie-Smith, Lucy Ronald, Eilidh Rose and Lucy Symon are the backs listed on the bench. 

Smith said: “Our preparations have had to be quicker than last year, but we’re settled in now at Wellington College after arriving yesterday and we’re raring to go. 

“We’ve gone for a good blend of new and experienced players at this level, and Eve Mackay captains who scored against Italy last year in the festival. 

“Italy will be physical, we expect them to come out the blocks firing but we want to match that. We know they’ll be direct in midfield if they get the chance so we have to be disruptive as much as possible in defence.” 

Scotland U18 team to play Italy U18 at Wellington on Thursday (kick off 12pm) – live on YouTube 

15. Neve Murray
14. Connie Sanderson
13. Robyn Allan
12. Niamh Waters
11. Bethan Mathieson 

14. Sophie Gilvear
9. Emma Wyllie 

1. Ellen Nimmo
2. Emily Sansom
3. Jessica Combe
4. Pip Sutherland
5. Layla Mitchell
6. Rhianna Bodle
7. Eve Mackay CAPTAIN
8. Estella Vaughan 

Replacements 

16. Amy Vance
17. Juliet Ramsay
18. Danielle Kaschula
19. Lilly Clarkson
20. Gemma Gordon
21. Aoife Powrie-Smith
22. Lucy Ronald
23. Eilidh Rose
24. Lucy Symon 

RELATED

Megan Hyland embraces National Academy opportunity Scotland Women U20 Megan Hyland embraces National Academy opportunity Thu 9 Jul 2026 Rianna Darroch on the return of the Women’s Central Programme Player Pathway Rianna Darroch on the return of the Women’s Central Programme Wed 24 Jun 2026 Most talented U16s in the country put to the test in St Andrews Player Pathway Most talented U16s in the country put to the test in St Andrews Wed 24 Jun 2026 Aligned Schools, Youth and Pathway Calendar launched for upcoming season Player Pathway Aligned Schools, Youth and Pathway Calendar launched for upcoming season Wed 10 Jun 2026 Stars of the future put to the test at National Talent Pathway Combine Day Player Pathway Stars of the future put to the test at National Talent Pathway Combine Day Wed 3 Jun 2026 Cruikshank thrilled to take on new National Academy Manager role at Scottish Rugby Player Pathway Cruikshank thrilled to take on new National Academy Manager role at Scottish Rugby Fri 29 May 2026 Scottish Rugby introduce new Women’s Performance and Pathway system as Cruikshank appointed as first National Academy Manager Scotland Women Scottish Rugby introduce new Women’s Performance and Pathway system as Cruikshank appointed as first National Academy Manager Thu 28 May 2026 Anya and her dad dare to dream Player Pathway Anya and her dad dare to dream Fri 8 May 2026 Report: Scotland U18 33-19 Georgia U18 Player Pathway Report: Scotland U18 33-19 Georgia U18 Sat 11 Apr 2026 Report: Wales U18 45-12 Scotland U18 Player Pathway Report: Wales U18 45-12 Scotland U18 Fri 10 Apr 2026 U18 men team named for festival finale Player Pathway U18 men team named for festival finale Fri 10 Apr 2026 Team named for final U18 women festival test Player Pathway Team named for final U18 women festival test Thu 9 Apr 2026 Report: Italy U18 23-19 Scotland U18 Player Pathway Report: Italy U18 23-19 Scotland U18 Tue 7 Apr 2026 Roundup: U18 Women’s Six Nations Festival day two Player Pathway Roundup: U18 Women’s Six Nations Festival day two Mon 6 Apr 2026 U18 Men team named for second round of festival Player Pathway U18 Men team named for second round of festival Mon 6 Apr 2026 Teams named for U18 women festival double-header Player Pathway Teams named for U18 women festival double-header Mon 6 Apr 2026 Report: Scotland U18 15-34 Wales U18 Player Pathway Report: Scotland U18 15-34 Wales U18 Fri 3 Apr 2026 Report: Italy U18 26-26 Scotland U18 Player Pathway Report: Italy U18 26-26 Scotland U18 Thu 2 Apr 2026 U18 men team named for festival opener Player Pathway U18 men team named for festival opener Thu 2 Apr 2026 U18 Men and Women squads named for Six Nations Festivals Player Pathway U18 Men and Women squads named for Six Nations Festivals Mon 30 Mar 2026