Scotland Women U18 extended training squad announced

2024 Six Nations U18s Women's Festival between France and Scotland in Colwyn Bay's Stadiwm CSM Wales, Friday March 29, 2024 (Photo by Rachel Lambert)

The 2025 Festival takes place at Wellington College in Crowthorne, England starting on Friday 11 April March and running until Saturday 19 April.

Scotland will play 35-minute matches against France, Wales, England and Ireland before finishing with a 70-minute match against Italy.

The selection comes after the Girls’ Regional Game Series which ran in January and February, with 24 players selected from the programme. Additional players from the Scottish Qualified programme have also been selected into the U18 side. In addition to this, 25 of the players selected are supported by Scottish Rugby through one of the three Regional Training Centres.

In preparation for the upcoming festival, Smith will convene her squad in a series of training camps before selecting a final 30 players to travel for the competition.

Speaking ahead of preparations beginning, Smith said: “We’re really excited to start building towards the U18 Six Nations Festival. The makeup of the training squad blends a group of strong players who have demonstrated their abilities from the Girls Regional Game Series, and it is especially pleasing to have the inclusion of players from the Scottish Qualified programme.

“The U18 Six Nations festival provides an invaluable opportunity for each squad member to develop their skills in a competitive environment. Learning from last year’s festival, we’re approaching this campaign stronger, aiming to play with positivity and intent beyond just the scoreline.

“The progress within the pathway has been fantastic, strengthening the depth of talent coming through. In recent years, we’ve seen players transition successfully from this programme into the U20s, the Celtic Challenge, and even senior national team selection – Alex Stewart, Aila Ronald, Holland Bogan, Eilidh Fleming, Karis Craig, Rebekah Douglas, and Nicole Flynn are just a few shining examples.”

Scotland Women U18 training squad

Forwards

Emily Barber (Harrogate)
Kara Borthwick (Currie Chieftains)
Scarlet Down (Horsham)
Cailin Lardner (Stirling County)
Eve Mackay (Strathendrick)
Aisla Merryweather (Hull Ionians)
Layla Mitchell (Ellon)
Ellie Moffat (Watsonian FC)
Daisy Morrison (Stirling County)
Ellen Nimmo (Boroughmuir Banshees)
Alina Prokopenko (Dalkeith)
Ella Rae (Stirling County)
Mary Rudd (Henley College)
Emily Sansom (Stirling County)
Skyla Smith (Dumfries Saints)
Imogen Spence (Biggar)
Philipa Sutherland (Old Reigatians)
Gemma Thomson (Stirling County)
Amy Vance (Dumfries Saints)
Estella Vaughan (Guildfordians)
Hannah Ward (Boroughmuir)

Backs

Saba Alexander (Garioch)
Emma Anderson (Stirling County)
Mae Arnott (Houghton le Spring)
Katherine Bird (Northern)
Lisa Brown (University of Edinburgh)
Ellie Campbell (Ivybridge Rugby Club)
Eilidh Comerford (West of Scotland FC)
Josie Foubister (University of Edinburgh)
Lucy Giles (Dumfries Saints)
Scarlett Haddow (Stirling County)
Louisa Kaven (West of Scotland FC)
Bethan Mathieson (Dunfermline)
Poppy Mellanby (Biggar)
Tamzin Rosie (Caithness)
Niamh Waters (Biggar)
Lily Woodhams (Old Reigatians)

Friday 11 April: Scotland v Wales, kick-off 12pm & France v Scotland, kick-off 1pm
Tuesday 15 April: England v Scotland, kick-off 12pm & Scotland v Ireland, kick-off 3pm
Saturday 19 April: Italy v Scotland, kick-off 4.30pm