Nelson selected for inaugural women’s Barbarians Test

27 Mar 2019

​Scotland Women player Helen Nelson has been selected for the Barbarians Women’s squad to play in the team’s first ever international fixture in Colorado next month.

Scotland Women centre Helen Nelson has been selected for the Barbarians Women’s squad to play in the team’s first ever international fixture in Colorado next month.

Helen will be part of a star-studded team, with international players from nine different countries, when the Baa-baas take on USA Women’s Eagles at Infinity Park, Glendale on Friday 26 April.

Nelson said: “It’s a massive honour to be asked to play for the Barbarians and something I’m so excited about.

“I watched them growing up and loved the exciting brand of rugby they played and everything they represent, so this really is a dream come true.

“It’s an incredible opportunity to be coached and play alongside some absolute legends of the game. I’m going to go and enjoy it and learn as much as I can.”

Barbarians Women will face a USA side ranked fifth in the world in a match broadcast live on FloRugby.com.

The coaching set up for the Barbarians Women’s side also features Scotland’s most capped international player, Donna Kennedy.

Kennedy will be Assistant Coach to New Zealand’s Anna Richards for the USA match.

Donna made 115 international appearances before launching a coaching career that has included five years in charge of Worcester Valkyries.

RELATED

Weekend Preview: Scotland Internationals in the Spotlight 16 January 2026 Cup & Competitions Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership feature match: Melrose v Selkirk 16 January 2026 Boys Schools Cup Finals Preview 16 January 2026 Cup & Competitions Boys School Cup Finals 2025 15 January 2026 Scotland Women Players named ahead of first Scotland Women camp of 2026 15 January 2026 Scotland XV coaching team announcement 15 January 2026 Scotland Men U20 Scotland U20 fixtures confirmed for rebranded 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship 15 January 2026 Scotland Women Belisle to retire from international rugby 13 January 2026 Glasgow Warriors Men ASM Clermont-Auvergne 21-33 Glasgow Warriors 11 January 2026 Edinburgh Rugby Men Capital comeback: Edinburgh overcome 13-point deficit to edge Gloucester 11 January 2026 Cup & Competitions Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership preview: Saturday 10 January 9 January 2026 Obituary Obituary: Ian McCrae 9 January 2026 Obituary Obituary: Jim Turner 9 January 2026 Scotland Women Scottish Rugby adds international experience to Scotland Women coaching set-up 5 January 2026 Edinburgh Rugby Men Edinburgh hold nerve in Treviso thriller 4 January 2026 Glasgow Warriors Men Glasgow Warriors 47-10 Zebre Parma 4 January 2026 Glasgow Warriors Men Nick Ryan and Duncan Weir join Warriors Academy coaching team 31 December 2025 1872 Cup (Edinburgh Rugby) Match Report: Edinburgh 3–21 Glasgow Warriors 29 December 2025 1872 Cup (Edinburgh Rugby) 1872 Cup: What’s on Guide 25 December 2025 1872 Cup (Edinburgh Rugby) Take part in the 1872 Cup light show! 25 December 2025