Scotland Women’s Under-21s Tri-Nations squad for Italy trip announced

Pictured: Coach Claire Cruikshank during a Celtic Challenge match between The Thistles and the Combined Provinces XV at the DAM Health Stadium, on February 25, 2023, in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Claire Cruikshank, who is also Scottish Rugby’s National Academy manager in the women’s pathway system, will lead the U21s as the age group’s Head Coach.

The week marks the final camp of the calendar year for the U21s, with the key focus being on bringing the squad together in L’Aquila, Italy, to continue progression and development.

Pictured: Lisa Brown during a Scotland Under-21’s Women’s team run at the Hive Stadium, on April 17, 2026, in Edinburgh, Scotland.

At the end of the trip, Scotland will face Wales and Italy in back-to-back 40-minute contests on Saturday 10 October.

The squad consists of National Academy Players, whom Cruikshank works with on a regular basis, and Scottish Qualified players.

Speaking on the trip, Cruikshank said: “This is a great opportunity to further show off the great work within our programme and provide the players with a chance to train in a high-performance environment alongside other nations that we’re familiar with.

“The trip provides them with a week to be together and further develop bonds with each other and staff, but it will also continue the progression of their individual development before we start the new calendar year and prepare for on-pitch action.”

Scotland Women’s Under-21s Tri-Nations squad:

Forwards
Ellie Moffat – Glasgow Warriors/Edinburgh University
Talei Tawake – Edinburgh Rugby/Watsonian
Libby Naughton – Cardiff Metropolitan University
Megan Hyland – Glasgow Warriors/Heriots
Emily Barber – Newcastle University
Isla Gillan – Glasgow Warriors/Hillhead Jordanhill
Ellen Nimmo – Edinburgh Rugby/Edinburgh University
Lottie Russell – Edinburgh Rugby/Watsonian
Aisla Merryweather – Harlequins/Surrey University
Layla Mitchell – Glasgow Warriors/Heriots
Pip Sutherland – Exeter University
Scarlet Down – Eailing Trailfinders/Brunel University
Gemma Thomson – Glasgow Warriors/Stirling County
Cat Moody – Edinburgh Rugby/Edinburgh University
Juliet Ramsay – Biggar RFC

Backs
Grace Eathorne – Loughborough University
Tamzin Rosie – Edinburgh Rugby/Heriots
Niamh Waters – Edinburgh Rugby/Edinburgh University
Lucy MacRae – Edinburgh Rugby/Edinburgh University
Katherine Bird – Loughborough University
Lisa Brown – Edinburgh Rugby/Edinburgh University
Bethan Mathieson – Edinburgh Rugby/Heriots
Scarlett Haddow – Glasgow Warriors/Stirling County
Lucy Giles – Glasgow Warriors/Glasgow University
Emily Norval – Glasgow Warriors/Stirling County
Poppy Mellanby – Glasgow Warriors/Edinburgh University
Hannah Smyth – Gloucester Hartpury/Hartpury University