A look back at 2018 for Scotland Women

30 Dec 2018

Over 2018 Scotland Women have added depth to their squad this year with the addition of twelve new caps to the squad. We look back at these call-ups as well as the team’s performances over the last year.

Due to injuries from some of the key players in the team over the year, it has created opportunities for other players to show what they can do in an international set-up.

Over the Six Nations period, seven new caps were called up in the form of Siobhan Cattigan (Stirling County RFC), Nicola Howat (Edinburgh University), Megan Kennedy (Stirling County), Mags Lowish (Loughborough Lightning), Siobhan McMillan (Hillhead Jordanhill), Liz Musgrove (Edinburgh University) and Jodie Rettie (Saracens).

The Six Nations campaign started with a close match against Wales in Colwyn Bay. The home side just stole the win but not after Scotland Women made them work for it in the second half. Wales were leading 13-0 at half-time and the final score was a narrow 18-17 win to Wales.

Another highlight of the Six Nations was when Scotland Women stole the win away from Ireland in Dublin. The 12-15 win for the Scots was a memorable victory on the road!

The latter half of the year brought with it the chance to wear SP Energy Network sponsored kit for the first time as well as a new broadcast deal with BBC ALBA.

The addition of Autumn Test in the women’s rugby calendar allowed for an additional five caps to be called up; Lisa Cockburn (Darlington Mowden Park RFC), Mairi Forsyth (Stirling County RFC), Rachel McLachlan (Stirling County RFC), Bry Nelson (Watsonians), Lucy Winter (Edinburgh University).

Five of these new caps made the starting line-up against Canada in the final match of the season. This match saw Scotland edge close to a win against the top four nation, with a narrow 25-28 loss. This was a much-improved performance from the first Autumn Test defeat against Italy in Calvisano.

Head Coach Shade Munro said, “I am delighted that we have been able to include a great selection of new players throughout this season. We have a new depth in the squad especially when we are up to full strength when players return from injury.

“We have had a great influx of new caps this year. Megan Kennedy has been one that has really impressed me this year. She first took to the international field in our opening six nations match against Wales and has managed to retain the number three shirt since then. Her player of the match accolade in the Autumn test against Canada is a testament to the skills she has brought to our side.

“We spend a lot of time watching the players from clubs across Scotland to see who we can call up for national training. We also work closely with the Futures Programme to ensure that we know what level the younger players are at and when they might be ready for a call up.”

“Training has been going really well since the Canada match. The team are looking forward to taking on Spain in January as our last Test match ahead of the Six Nations.”

Photo caption: Megan Kennedy breaking through the Canadian defence in November.