Changes to Scotland Women coaching staff confirmed

Following the departure of Sione Fukofuka, Dave Butcher will lead the national team on an interim basis during WXV Global Series.

Scottish Rugby can confirm that Ioan Cunningham has left the organisation to pursue new opportunities. We thank Ioan for his contribution to Scottish Rugby and wish him every success for the future.

Chris Laidlaw and Tom Luke have both been appointed in the role of assistant coach with Scotland Women.

Luke joins Scotland Women from PWR club Bristol Bears on secondment for the WXV Global Series only, while Laidlaw will initially join on secondment from Harlequins in August before returning to the London club and later joining Scotland’s coaching staff on a permanent basis.

It is a return to Scotland for Laidlaw, who previously served as the first-ever head coach of Glasgow Warriors Women’s team in the Celtic Challenge and as assistant coach with the women’s national team during the 2023 Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

Chris Laidlaw.

Laidlaw’s previous roles also include serving as one of Scottish Rugby’s Performance Development coach in the women’s game and as interim head coach of Scotland Women 7s in 2021, where he led the side to their first-ever Commonwealth Games qualification.

Luke has been in post as Assistant Coach at Bristol Bears Women since 2021, having previously held the Head Coach role at Thornbury RFC as well as Head of Rugby at St Bede’s Catholic College.

As well as their coaching experience, both Laidlaw and Luke enjoyed their own playing careers.

Laidlaw is a former Scotland Club XV international and played his club rugby with hometown club Jed-Forest before joining Boroughmuir for the 2014/15 season, where he won the Scottish Cup in his debut term. He was named captain of Boroughmuir Bears ahead of their inaugural Fosroc Super6 campaign in 2019.

Luke represented Bristol Academy, Bristol, the Cornish Pirates, and the Doncaster Knights, as well as a two-season spell in Italy.

Upon returning to Scottish Rugby, Chris Laidlaw said: “I am delighted to be returning to Scotland and taking up this role within the national women’s team.

“I am hugely passionate about this team and can see massive potential across the playing group and pathway. I am looking forward to working with all the players and staff as we continue to drive the women’s game forward in Scotland at international level.

“I can’t wait to get started as we approach an exciting run of games against some of the world’s best and meet the challenges head on over the coming months.”

Upon his appointment, Tom Luke said: “I’m incredibly grateful to Bristol Bears for supporting me in taking this opportunity with Scotland Women.

Tom Luke. Image: Bristol Bears.

“Coaching international rugby is a real privilege, and I’m excited to work with such a talented group of players.

“I’ve been lucky enough to coach a few of the current squad at club level and if they’re a reflection of the wider group, I can’t wait to meet everyone and get started.”

Head of Women’s Performance and Pathways, Andy Rhys-Jones, added: “We are pleased to welcome Chris and Tom to the Scotland Women coaching staff for WXV.

“Chris brings a valuable combination of experience from his previous roles within Scottish Rugby and his two seasons in Premiership Women’s Rugby with Harlequins. That time has further developed him as a coach, providing valuable insight into the demands of a daily high-performance training environment.

“He has a strong understanding of the women’s programme and players in Scotland through his previous work with the national team and as Women’s Head Coach of Glasgow Warriors. Alongside his coaching expertise, Chris brings a collaborative approach, a strong connection with players and an infectious energy for coaching, which will be a great addition to the wider WNT environment.

“Tom has spent several seasons as Assistant Coach with Bristol Bears Women, where he has established himself as a highly regarded coach and gained significant experience in delivering an ambitious, attacking style of play.

“He has built a strong reputation for developing players and helping them perform at their best, and we’re looking forward to the experience and attacking mindset he will bring to the coaching group during WXV.

“We would like to thank Harlequins and Bristol for their support in helping Chris and Tom take up this opportunity and we look forward to welcoming them into the programme for the start of WXV preparations.”