Easson to lead Scotland Women through to 2025

Easson had led the team as Interim Head Coach since August 2020, stepping up from the Assistant Coach role he held alongside former Head Coach Phillip Doyle, who was unable to continue in post due to Covid shielding restrictions earlier in the year.

Scottish Rugby has taken the opportunity to broaden Easson’s remit and he will also be Technical Lead for the Women’s XVs programme.

This new, expanded role focuses on not just on developing Scotland Women’s XVs team, but also, and just as importantly, supporting the growth of the pathway programmes and coaching infrastructure.

The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the team’s schedule throughout 2020 but Easson’s sole game in charge saw an historic draw in October against former World Cup finalists France at Scotstoun Stadium. Subsequent matches against Wales and Italy were eventually cancelled in November.

Speaking on the appointment, Head of Girls’ and Women’s Performance Rugby, Gemma Fay said: “I am delighted we can appoint Bryan to the role of Head Coach & Technical Lead of the Women’s XV Programme for the foreseeable future.

“Bryan has been involved in the Women’s Performance Programme for nearly two years, and although an experienced coach in men’s rugby has really impressed us with how he has learned to apply that knowledge and expertise in the women’s game.

“Since stepping in as interim Head Coach this year Bryan has demonstrated his ability to adapt in extremely difficult circumstances and still deliver development and improvement to the team.

“What was important for us was to find someone who not just had the ability to develop the Scotland Women’s team to deliver on the world stage, but also someone who had the vision and the skill set to support the development and delivery of a sustainable pathway infrastructure.

“Bryan’s track record of developing people, coupled with his drive and passion to develop not just the women’s game, but females within the performance pathway in Scotland, was exactly what we require at this moment in time. We look forward to working with Bryan in the future to bring success to Scottish rugby.”

Scotland Women Head Coach & Technical Lead, Bryan Easson, said: “I am honoured and privileged to be appointed Scotland Women Head Coach. I have learned a lot about this group over the past few months, and alongside an excellent management team I look forward to continue to help make improvements both on and off the pitch.”

Scottish Rugby’s Director of Performance Rugby, Jim Mallinder, added: “The appointment of Bryan and the expansion of his role demonstrates the importance Scottish Rugby continues to place on making progress in the women’s game and performance programme.

“Bryan is a highly respected coach and will bring his wider expertise into the Technical Lead role in what is a great opportunity for him, the players and whole performance group committed to the team’s success to have both continuity and growth over the long term.”