Scottish Rugby increases number of contracted players for 2026/27

An increased number of 47 contracted players are comprised of non-Scotland based players – those who play their club rugby in the PWR and France, and a new change in the model with players contracted to Edinburgh and Glasgow who will continue to be supported by the newly-established Central or Academy programmes.

A total of 35 contracted players will be based in Scotland from next season, representing Edinburgh Rugby or Glasgow Warriors in the Celtic Challenge.

We will continue to provide support and access to a group of high-potential players through full performance support with the National Central Programme, National Academy Programme, and then playing their rugby with Edinburgh Rugby or Glasgow Warriors.

Those players not receiving financial support or performance support from the NCP, NAP, Edinburgh Rugby or Glasgow Warriors remain eligible to be selected for Scotland.

The contracting model is aligned to the performance aims of Scottish Rugby across both international and domestic rugby.

On the international stage, Scotland Women continue to work towards achieving a best-ever finish at 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup, whilst aiming for consistent performances and success in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

Domestically, the new and aligned high performance pathway will seek to produce international-standard players to ensure sustained senior success, whilst, as already outlined, providing the opportunity to play professional rugby in Scotland, based in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

With a panel led by Performance Director David Nucifora, Head of Women’s Performance and Pathways Andy Rhys Jones and National Team Head Coach Sione Fukofuka, contracting decisions were aligned to the above performance aims, with a clear process outlined and communicated to players throughout.

Players who are selected for Scotland Women are remunerated separately through the National Team Agreement, irrespective of any Scottish Rugby contract or support they may receive. This ensures that players are paid for the time they spend in camp preparing for Test matches and match fees.

Head of Women’s Performance and Pathways, Andy Rhys-Jones, said: “Moving into a new Rugby World Cup cycle, this model is about creating the strongest possible future for the women’s game in Scotland and national team success.

“The increase in contract numbers and a move to players in Scotland being contracted to the professional clubs, will see more players have the opportunity to develop in high-performance environments and have a clear goal to build a competitive domestic system that supports success on the international stage.

“We recognise the significant value in the experiences gained by players in external competitions, where some critical players will continue their development, but our ambition is to strengthen the game in Scotland and create a performance system built around our two professional clubs and Central Programmes that allow us attract to develop and retain our top players.

“Bringing experienced international players together with the next generation of talent will help raise standards, accelerate development and strengthen the depth of our player pool in Scotland.

“Our focus continues to be establishing an aligned system and will continue to make announcements around how we intend to grow our performance system as we move into season 26/27.”

Scotland Women National Team Head Coach, Sione Fukofuka, added: “This model brings a clearer alignment between our domestic system and international programme, which is essential as we build towards the 2029 Rugby World Cup.

“It’s a real positive to have more players training and playing in Scotland within a consistent high-performance environment, while still recognising the value that some gain from competing in the PWR and in France.

“What is integral to the model is the quality and depth we’re developing across the programme.

“Having more of our international players based in Scotland also creates greater opportunities for shared learning, stronger connections across the squad and a more cohesive approach led by me and the coaching staff that can directly support success at national team level.

“We have experienced internationals training and competing alongside developing players in the Scotland pathway system, consistently challenging and pushing standards from within the high-performance daily training environments. This will be a key component to how we grow and perform over the coming years.”

Bill Mitchell, Chief Executive of Rugby Players Scotland, the body who represent the collective interests of Scotland’s professional rugby players added: “A key part of RPS’s programme is to support the development of all aspects of the sport across Scotland, integral to which is the growth in the women’s professional game.

“We see this increase in the number of contracted players as a significant step forward that will enable our members to advance their professional careers while being based within Scotland, and we look forward to working alongside Scottish Rugby, the professional clubs and the international squad to achieve success at the highest level.”

Non-Scotland Based Supported Players

Leah Bartlett – Sale Sharks
Sarah Bonar – Harlequins
Evie Gallagher – Bristol Bears
Rhona Lloyd – Sale Sharks
Rachel Malcolm – Trailfinders Women
Francesca McGhie – Trailfinders Women
Rachel McLachlan – Montpellier
Helen Nelson – TBC
Lana Skeldon – Bristol Bears
Meryl Smith – Bristol Bears
Lisa Thomson – Trailfinders Women
Emma Wassell – Trailfinders Women

Players Supported in Scotland

Gemma Bell – Glasgow Warriors
Leia Brebner-Holden – Edinburgh Rugby
Holland Bogan – Glasgow Warriors
Becky Boyd – Glasgow Warriors
Elliann Clarke – Glasgow Warriors
Rhea Clarke – Glasgow Warriors
Emily Coubrough – Edinburgh Rugby
Rianna Darroch – Glasgow Warriors
Nicole Flynn – Glasgow Warriors
Coreen Grant – Edinburgh Rugby
Merryn Gunderson – Edinburgh Rugby
Elis Martin – Edinburgh Rugby
Fi McIntosh – Glasgow Warriors
Holly McIntyre – Glasgow Warriors
Emma Orr – Edinburgh Rugby
Rachel Philipps – Edinburgh Rugby
Molly Poolman – Edinburgh Rugby
Hannah Ramsay – Edinburgh Rugby
Chloe Rollie – Edinburgh Rugby
Aila Ronald – Edinburgh Rugby
Lucia Scott – Glasgow Warriors
Alex Stewart – Edinburgh Rugby
Hannah Walker – Edinburgh Rugby
Evie Wills – Glasgow Warriors
Anne Young – Glasgow Warriors

Academy Contracted Players

Ceitidh Ainsworth – Glasgow Warriors
Poppy Fletcher – Glasgow Warriors
Megan Hyland – Glasgow Warriors
Bethan Mathieson – Edinburgh Rugby
Poppy Mellanby – Glasgow Warriors
Cat Moody – Edinburgh Rugby
Imogen Spence – Glasgow Warriors
Aicha Sutcliffe – Glasgow Warriors
Faye Sutherland – Edinburgh Rugby
Talei Tawake – Edinburgh Rugby