Aila Ronald (Hooker)

Aila’s rugby journey started when she was just seven-years-old at Deeside Rugby Club in the north-east of Scotland. Aila played with Deeside until 2015, moving on to play for Dundee U18 where she featured predominantly in the backline, before moving on to become a forward.

Whilst playing rugby, Aila was also a competitive swimmer representing Upper Deeside and South Aberdeenshire. 

In 2022, Aila joined the Premiership side, Garioch based in Inverurie and upon moving to Edinburgh for her studies in 2023, the hooker began playing at the University of Edinburgh. 

Later that summer, Aila was named in the Scotland Futures (20+) programme, traveling to Italy to take part in a series of games. 

In the 2023/24 season, Aila was named in the Edinburgh Rugby Celtic Challenge squad, making five appearances across the campaign. She had previously featured for the Thistles in the inaugural competition.

After playing for Scotland Women U20 in the 2024 Six Nations Summer Series, Aila earned her first call up to the senior Scotland Women squad in 2024 ahead of the Vodafone Series and WXV 2 in South Africa.

Earlier this year, Aila was named the Vice-Captain of Edinburgh Rugby for the Celtic Challenge.

Aila Ronald during a Scotland Women’s team run at Hive Stadium during the Vodafone Series.

Hannah Walker (winger)

Hannah Walker started her rugby journey at the Community School of Auchterarder where she played for four years. The talented back-three player went on to play for Tayside and Fife and Stirling County.

In 2021, she featured in the U18 National Cup winning team with Stirling County and in 2022 she joined the University of Edinburgh.   

During her youth rugby, Hannah played scrum-half before moving on to the wing.  

In the 2023/24 season, Hannah was drafted for Edinburgh Rugby in the Celtic Challenge and made five appearances for the capital side. In the 2024/25 season, she was named Vice-Captain for the capital side and has been a key try-scoring figure for the side.

In 2024, Hannah was named co-captain of Scotland Women U20 who went to play in the Six Nations Summer Series in Italy. Later that year she joined Scotland Women as a day trainer during ahead of the Vodafone Series to provide further  development opportunities.

Before settling on rugby, Hannah played Netball and was part of the Scottish Regional Academy set up at the age of 15 and 16 before joining the Sirens Academy at the age of 17. 

Hannah Walker during a Scotland training session.

Adelle Ferrie (second-row)

Adelle Ferrie, originally from Whithorn in Dumfries and Galloway first started playing rugby at Morgan Rugby Club during her time studying at Abertay University in Dundee.

After a spell at Howe of Fife, the second-row forward moved to Corstorphine Cougars where she has played a key role in their successes of reaching two Premiership finals – of which they won their first title in the 2024/25 season – and the Sarah Beaney Cup final in the 2022/23 season.

Adelle was part of Edinburgh Rugby Women’s inaugural squad for the 2023/24 Celtic Challenge season, making her debut as player number 23. She contributed to the team’s successful campaign, which saw them finish second in the league under Head Coach Claire Cruikshank, and she has continued to feature for the side in the 2024/25 season.

Edinburgh’s Adelle Ferrie in action during a Celtic Challenge match between Edinburgh Rugby and Wolfhounds at the Hive Stadium.

Molly Poolman (tight-head prop)

Molly Poolman started playing rugby in 2015 when she was 11-years-old, playing at Howe of Fife.

Molly had her first experience of age-grade rugby in 2020 when she was selected for Scotland U18. She was selected once again in 2022, and in 2023 was selected for Scotland Futures, taking part in the Tri-Nations competition in Italy. She then went on to play for Scotland U20 in the 2024 Six Nations Summer Series in Italy.

The tight-head prop joined Premiership side, Watsonian FC in 2022 and went on to feature in the club’s two Sarah Beaney Cup final wins in 2023 and 2024.

In the 2023/24 season, Molly was selected for Edinburgh Rugby’s Celtic Challenge squad and made seven appearances and scored one try across the competition. She was selected for the side again in the 2024/25 season.

Before committing the rugby, Molly participated in karate and earned a black belt.

Edinburgh’s Molly Poolman in action during a Celtic Challenge match Edinburgh Rugby Women and Clovers at Hive Stadium.

Rhea Clarke (scrum-half)

Rhea Clarke began playing rugby at Dunfermline RFC when she was six-years-old alongside her sister, Elliann – who has gone on to become a contracted player with Scotland Women.

The scrum-half moved onto Stirling County where she was part of the team who raised the U15 Cup in 2017 and U18 Cup in 2018 and 2019. 

During the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons, Rhea was selected for Scotland U18, playing in the U18 Six Nations festivals. 

Rhea began studying at the University of Edinburgh and joined the rugby team in 2021. In the same year, Rhea and the squad reached the 2021/22 BUCS Cup final.  

In the following season, Rhea was a Player of the Year nominee in the BUCS league, and in 2023/24 she won the BUCS Keri Holdsworth Award.  

During 2022 and 2023, Rhea was selected for The Thistles in the inaugural Celtic Challenge and was selected to represent Scotland Futures. At the same time, Rhea was invited into training camps with Scotland Women in preparation for the Rugby World Cup and Six Nations 2023.  

In 2024, Rhea went on to feature for Scotland Women U20 in the Six Nations Summer Series.

In the 2023/24 season, Rhea was named as the co-captain of Glasgow Warriors in the Celtic Challenge, making seven appearances. In the 2024/25 season, Rhea moved to the capital side for the competition.

Away from rugby, Rhea has excelled in other sports playing hockey, basketball and judo. She was also the Scottish National at U14 level in vaulting. 

Rhea Clarke during a Scotland training session at the Oriam.

Rachel Philipps (centre)

Rachel Philipps began her rugby journey at Biggar RFC in 2016.

The young centre continued her playing career at the University of Edinburgh in 2022 before moving to Watsonian FC in 2023 where she was named player of the match in their Sarah Beaney Cup in at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

Rachel has come through the women’s pathway playing for the Scottish Futures side and then in 2023, was named in the Edinburgh Rugby Celtic Challenge team, making three appearances for the capital side.

In 2024 Rachel signed for Sale Sharks, playing in the Allianz PWR.

In the summer of 2024, Rachel earned her first call up to Scotland Women and was named in the squad ahead of the Vodafone Series and WXV 2 competition.

Rachel Philipps during a Scotland Women’s team run at Hive Stadium.

Meg Varley (centre/winger)

Megan “Meg” Varley is a dynamic player known for her versatility as a centre and winger.

Varley qualifies to play for Scotland through her Edinburgh-born grandmother and received her first call-up to the Scotland national squad in February 2024 for the Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

Just days before joining the Scotland squad for the championship, Varley suffered a significant foot injury during a match against Loughborough Lightning. This injury required surgery and sidelined her for nearly 11 months.

Varley made a notable return to the field in January 2025. Starting at outside centre, she scored a try in Bristol’s 41-31 victory over Exeter Chiefs, marking a triumphant comeback.

Meg Varley carries as Bristol Bears Women play Leicester Tigers Women in a Premiership Women’s Rugby fixture on January 18 2025 at Ashton Gate. (Photo by Andy Watts, courtesy of Bristol Bears)

Becky Boyd (second-row)

Loughborough Lightning’s Becky Boyd qualifies for Scotland via her Glasgow-born grandfather.

She began her rugby journey with Newark RUFC U18s before advancing to Loughborough University. Boyd has previous been involved in training with England at the U20 level.

The 20-year-old has made 11 appearances for her PWR club and earned her first call up to Scotland Women ahead of the 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

Becky Boyd for Loughborough Lightning (image provided by Loughborough).

Hollie Cunningham (second-row)

Bristol Bears’ Hollie Cunningham qualifies for Scotland through her Scottish-born Grandmother.

Cunningham’s rugby journey began at the age of ten when her primary school PE teacher, who also coached the local girls’ team at St Mary’s Old Boys in Almondsbury, encouraged her to take up the sport.

Throughout her career, Cunningham has been associated with clubs such as Cleve RFC and has represented England at the U18 and U20 levels. Balancing her academic pursuits with rugby, she played for Hartpury College and Exeter University.

Cunningham earned her first call up to the Scotland squad ahead of the 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

Hollie Cunningham as Bristol Bears Women play Sale Sharks Women in a Premiership Women’s Rugby fixture at Shaftesbury Park in Bristol. (Photo by Andy Watts, courtesy of Bristol Bears)