Coaching team confirmed for Six Nations Women’s U21 Series
20 Mar 2026The coaching team to lead Scotland Women U21 during the upcoming Six Nations Series has been confirmed, with Louise Dalgliesh continuing in her role as Head Coach.
Scotland head coach Louise Dalgliesh during the 2025 Six Nations Womens Summer Series photocall at Caerphilly Castle, Caerphilly, Wales, Friday, July 4th, 2025 (Photo by Andrew Dowling / Inpho) Dalgliesh returns after taking charge of the Scotland Women U20 side last year. As Head Coach, she will be supported by a coaching group with a strong blend of continuity and experience within the Scottish women’s pathway.
Matty Douglas, who was involved with the programme last year, continues as Assistant Coach, bringing further experience from his 2025/25 role with Edinburgh Rugby’s Celtic Challenge side, where he served as a defence coach.
Joining the programme as Forwards Coach is Ross Young, who has also been coaching with Edinburgh Rugby in the Celtic Challenge in the 2025/26 season.
Completing the group is Caity Mattinson, who will take on the role of Skills Coach, assisting Dalgleish with attack. Having recently retired from playing, Mattinson now brings her rugby knowledge and experience into coaching and development, currently working as Schools Rugby Manager for Banbury RFC. During her international playing career, she represented Scotland across two Rugby World Cup campaigns, multiple Six Nations championships and two WXV competitions, earning 37 caps.
Caity Mattinson.
Speaking on the appointments, Dalgliesh said: “I’m really excited for the opportunity this Six Nations Series presents for the players and the wider programme, and I’m delighted to have a strong coaching team alongside me.
“Ross, Matty and Caity all bring great knowledge, energy and different experiences to the programme, and I’m looking forward to working with them as we prepare for the tournament.
“It’s vital that our best young players continue to have the opportunity to test themselves against top opposition and build their experience at the highest level, it’s an important building block within the women’s pathway.
“Having two home fixtures at Hive Stadium is also a brilliant opportunity for the players to represent Scotland on home soil and for supporters to get behind the next generation of talent coming through the pathway.”
Scottish Rugby’s Head of Women’s Performance & Pathways, Andy Rhys-Jones added: “This is an exciting coaching group leading the U21 side into a new Six Nations competition and format. The Scotland U21 programme is a crucial part of our player pathway and plays a key role in supporting the long-term development of high-potential players.
“In recent years we’ve seen players such as Alex Stewart, Leia Brebner-Holden, Molly Poolman and Lucia Scott progress through the age-grade programme, which underlines the importance of providing young players with exposure to international game-time.”
Preparations for the tournament are underway as Scotland build towards their opening fixture in April. Further details, including squad announcements, will be confirmed in due course.
Scotland Women U21 – 2026 Six Nations Series Fixtures
Scotland v England – Saturday 18 April, KO 11:00, Hive Stadium, Edinburgh
France v Scotland – Saturday 2 May, KO 14:00, Stade Maurice Trelut, Tarbes
Scotland v Italy – Sunday 10 May, KO 13:00, Hive Stadium, Edinburgh
Wider Management Team
Rosie Walsh – Team Manager
Drew Scott – Lead S&C
Megan Metcalf – Analyst
Ruby Thrower – Sport Science
Dr Neil Vint – Team Doctor
Matthew Binnington – Physiotherapist
Bex Francis – Physiotherapist
