Scotland Women 7s squad announced for Biarritz

Scotland Women are the invited team for the French leg of the
World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series after a successful season last year in the
Rugby Europe Grand Prix season. Scotland will be in a pool group with the
current series leaders New Zealand, as well as England and Russia.

Nine of the twelve players travelling were part of the squad
that came close to promotion into the World Sevens Series following their second-place
finish at the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series Hong Kong qualifiers in April.

Helen
Nelson, who has recently helped her French club Montpellier defend their
domestic title, will continue to captain the squad.

Nelson
will be joined by fellow Scotland Women XV players, Abi Evans, Annabel
Sergeant, Lisa Thomson, Jenny Maxwell, Chloe Rollie, Hannah Smith and Rhona
Lloyd.

Megan
Gaffney, who returned to the Scotland Women 7s squad earlier this year, after a
short spell travelling abroad, remains in the squad.

Eilidh
Sinclair also returns to the squad. Sinclair, who has 18 caps for Scotland
Women and three caps for Scotland Women 7s is currently living in Australia,
playing for Queensland Reds.

The
tournament will potentially allow two new players to receive Scotland Women 7s
caps with the addition of Meryl Smith and Evie Tonkin.

Meryl
Smith was one of the standout performers in last season’s U18 7s programme and
has progressed through the Scottish Futures U20s over the past year.

Evie
has been performing well for DMP Sharks in the Tyrells Premiership this season
and was highlighted to Scotland Women by the Scottish Rugby Scottish Qualified
Programme. She was invited to train with Scotland Women 7s over the last month.

Head
Coach Scott Forrest said, “We are really excited to have the opportunity to
play at a World Rugby Sevens Series event. The team played fantastically well
at the Hong Kong qualifiers, but it was clear that we are lacking the
experience of playing in pressure situations in front of big crowds. Playing at
Biarritz against top Sevens teams such as New Zealand and England will be a
really valuable experience for the players.

“Meryl
has performed well in training and deserves her opportunity to test herself at
a higher level. It is exciting to be able to bring in some new young players
and really expand the depth of our team. It is great to welcome Evie into the
squad as well. She comes with experience of playing in a quality league in
England and I think she will be an asset to the squad.”

Scotland Sevens squad to travel to Biarritz

Abi Evans (Hillhead Jordanhill)
Megan Gaffney (Watsonians)
Rhona Lloyd (Loughborough Lightning)
Jenny Maxwell (Loughborough Lightning)
Helen Nelson** (Montpellier)
Chloe Rollie** (Lille Metropole Rugby Club Villeneuvios)
Annabel Sergeant (Heriots RFC)
Eilidh Sinclair (Queensland Reds)
Hannah Smith (Hillhead Jordanhill)
Meryl Smith (Murrayfield Wanderers)
Lisa Thomson** (Darlington Mowden Park RFC)
Evie Tonkin (Darlington Mowden Park RFC)

** 2021 Supported Contract 2018/19