Dalgliesh names Summer Series squad

Dalgliesh has selected four players to form a leadership group – Poppy Fletcher, Nicole Flynn, Merryn Gunderson and Emily Norval – to take ownership of captaincy duties both on and off the pitch for the duration of the competition.

Of the 30 players, 23, have been involved in the Celtic Challenge this season for either Edinburgh Rugby or Glasgow Warriors.

The squad also boasts continuity from previous campaigns, with nine players having participated in the 2024 Six Nations Summer Series: Ceitidh Ainsworth, Lucy MacRae, Megan Hyland, Poppy Fletcher, Eilidh Fleming, Karis Craig, Merryn Gunderson, Nicole Flynn and Rebekah Douglas.

Reflecting the development of the women’s pathway, 13 of the selected players were part of the Scotland Women U18 squad that competed in last year’s U18 Six Nations Festival: Charlotte Russell, Emily Coubrough, Gemma Thomson, Holly Wilson, Louise Taperell, Megan Riach, Sophie Price, Emily Love, Emily Norval, Faye Sutherland, Lisa Brown, Poppy Mellanby and Rianna Darroch.

Additionally, Brown, Thomson and Mellanby featured again at this year’s U18 Festival, alongside Scarlett Haddow, who has now earned a call-up to the U20 side.

Speaking on the selected squad, Dalgliesh said: “After an intense few months of preparation – featuring training camps, a hit-out against Wales, and joint sessions with the Senior team – we’re looking forward to finally get going on Saturday and see the players put all that work into action.

“The Summer Series is an opportunity to push this group further as individuals and as a collective, to expose them to new challenges, support their development, and see how they rise to the demands of international rugby.”

Since last year’s Summer Series, three players have gone on to earn their first senior caps for Scotland, playing in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations this year – Molly Poolman, Rhea Clarke, Lucia Scott, Leia Brebner-Holden and Gemma Bell. With Hannah Ramsay, Hannah Walker and Aila Ronald all being involved with the senior training squad through the championship and into the Rugby World Cup extended training squad.

Scotland supporters will be able to follow every moment of the action as all matches will be streamed live on Six Nations Rugby’s digital channels, including the Six Nations U20 YouTube channel and dedicated U20 social media accounts. Coverage will also be provided across Scottish Rugby’s social media channels and website.

Scotland Fixtures

England v Scotland –  Saturday 5 July, kick-off 6pm
Scotland v Wales – Friday 11 July, kick-off 6pm
Scotland v Ireland – Thursday 17 July, kick-off 1pm

Scotland Women U20 Squad 2025

Backs

Ceitidh Ainsworth (Stirling County RFC/Glasgow Warriors)*
Lisa Brown (University of Edinburgh/Edinburgh Rugby)*
Rianna Darroch (Hillhead Jordanhill/Glasgow Warriors)*
Rebekah Douglas (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors)*
Nicole Flynn (University of Edinburgh/Glasgow Warriors)*
Scarlett Haddow (Stirling County)*
Emily Love (Corstorphine Cougars/Edinburgh Rugby)*
Freya MacColl (Loughborough University)
Lucy MacRae (University of Edinburgh/Edinburgh Rugby)*
Holly McIntyre (University of Edinburgh/Edinburgh Rugby)*
Poppy Mellanby (Biggar RFC/Glasgow Warriors)*
Emily Norval (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors)*

Forwards

Emily Coubrough (University of Edinburgh/Glasgow Warriors)*
Karis Craig (Watsonian FC/Edinburgh Rugby)*
Lily Crisp (Loughborough University)
Eilidh Fleming (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors)*
Poppy Fletcher (University of Edinburgh/Glasgow Warriors)*
Merryn Gunderson (Corstorphine Cougars/Edinburgh Rugby)*
Megan Hyland (Garioch/Glasgow Warriors)*
Kaylee McHugh (Ealing Trailfinders)
Sophie Price (Hillhead Jordanhill/Glasgow Warriors)*
Megan Riach (Garioch/Edinburgh Rugby)*
Charlotte Russell (Watsonian FC/Edinburgh Rugby)*
Aicha Sutcliffe (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors)
Faye Sutherland (Corstorphine Cougars/Edinburgh Rugby)*
Louise Taperell (West of Scotland)*
Gemma Thomson (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors)*
Isobel Twigger (Brunel University)
Holly Wilson (Biggar RFC)*
Aisha Zameer (Hillhead Jordanhill/Glasgow Warriors)

*Vodafone Regional Training Centre supported player