Scotland extended training squad announced ahead of Rugby World Cup preparations

29 May 2025

Scotland Women’s Head Coach Bryan Easson has today unveiled a 38-player extended training squad as the national team begins preparations for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, set to take place in England this August.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 12: Scotland players celebrate qualification for the 2025 World Cup during the WXV 2 2024 match between Australia v Scotland at Athlone Sports Stadium on October 12, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Johan Rynners - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Those named, include four uncapped players; Aila Ronald, Hannah Ramsay, Hannah Walker and Meg Varley; each of whom were involved in the training squad through the Guinness Women’s Six Nations 2025.

In a significant boost for the team, Emma Wassell makes her return to the national setup for the first time since 2024, following her recovery from a benign tumour in her chest. Hollie Cunningham and Coreen Grant also rejoin the squad after overcoming injuries sustained earlier this year.

The group will convene in camp throughout June to build for the Summer Test period before the Women’s Rugby World Cup begins in August.

Speaking on the announcement, Easson said: “I’m really pleased we are now at the stage of naming an extended training squad ahead of what is going to be a huge summer for women’s sport.

“As we saw through this year’s Six Nations, there are good players missing out on selection and I think that’s testament to the depth we’ve developed, the consistency of performances, and the competitive standard being set week in and week out. Selection has been based entirely on performance, and that’s driven some very tough decisions.

“As we move into this crucial preparation period, we’re focused on sharpening every detail and pushing ourselves to the next levels. The months ahead are vital as we build towards the summer and set our sights firmly on competing at the Rugby World Cup.

“We’ve named a strong, competitive group that blends hard-earned experience with exciting young talent. I was particularly pleased with how our debutants and uncapped players performed during the Guinness Women’s Six Nations – both in training and in matches – and this window gives them a chance to step up and show us more.

“It’s also fantastic to welcome back Emma Wassell, Coreen Grant, Hollie Cunningham, and Meg Varley, all of whom have worked hard to return from injury and are now fit and available for selection. Their return adds even greater strength and competition to the squad.”

Scotland Women extended training squad for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in England (caps in brackets):

Forwards

Leah Bartlett – Leicester Tigers (43)
Gemma Bell – Gloucester Hartpury/Hartpury University (1)
Becky Boyd – Loughborough Lightning (3)
Sarah Bonar – Harlequins (47)
Elliann Clarke – Bristol Bears (20)
Hollie Cunningham – Bristol Bears (2)
Lisa Cockburn – Gloucester Hartpury (33)
Eva Donaldson – Leicester Tigers (15)
Evie Gallagher – Bristol Bears (35)
Adelle Ferrie – Edinburgh Rugby/Corstorphine Cougars (4)
Jade Konkel – Harlequins (71)
Rachel Malcolm – Unattached (56)
Elis Martin – Loughborough Lightning (20)
Rachel McLachlan – Montpellier (51)
Aila Ronald –  Edinburgh Rugby/University of Edinburgh (uncapped)
Molly Poolman – Edinburgh Rugby/Watsonian FC (4)
Lana Skeldon – Bristol Bears (79)
Alex Stewart – Edinburgh Rugby/Corstorphine Cougars (11)
Emma Wassell – Unattached (67)
Molly Wright – Sale Sharks (23)
Anne Young – Loughborough Lightning (20)

Backs

Leia Brebner-Holden – Loughborough Lightning (9)
Beth Blacklock – Saracens (3)
Rhea Clarke – Edinburgh Rugby/University of Edinburgh (1)
Coreen Grant – Harlequins (15)
Rhona Lloyd – Unattached (57)
Caity Mattinson – Trailfinders Women (31)
Francesca McGhie – Leicester Tigers (22)
Helen Nelson – Loughborough Lightning (70)
Rachel Philipps – Sale Sharks (1)
Hannah Ramsay – Edinburgh Rugby/University of Edinburgh (Uncapped)
Chloe Rollie – Trailfinders Women (75)
Lucia Scott – Gloucester-Hartpury/Hartpury University (5)
Emma Orr – Bristol Bears (29)
Lisa Thomson – Trailfinders Women (69)
Hannah Walker – Edinburgh Rugby/University of Edinburgh (Uncapped)
Evie Wills – Leicester Tigers (4)
Meg Varley – Bristol Bears (Uncapped)

RELATED

Dave Butcher appointed Scotland Women Head Coach Scotland Women Dave Butcher appointed Scotland Women Head Coach Thu 29 Oct 2026 Match Report: Australia 38-31 Scotland Scotland Women Match Report: Australia 38-31 Scotland Fri 23 Oct 2026 Scotland Women team for WXV Global Series finale Scotland Women Scotland Women team for WXV Global Series finale Tue 20 Oct 2026 Josie Symonds appointed Head of Athletic Performance for inaugural Women’s British & Irish Lions tour Scotland Women Josie Symonds appointed Head of Athletic Performance for inaugural Women’s British & Irish Lions tour Tue 20 Oct 2026 Match Report: Australia 56-12 Scotland Scotland Women Match Report: Australia 56-12 Scotland Sat 17 Oct 2026 Lana Skeldon ready for Australia rematch Scotland Women Lana Skeldon ready for Australia rematch Thu 15 Oct 2026 Two changes made as Scotland Women take on Australia in Sydney Scotland Women Two changes made as Scotland Women take on Australia in Sydney Wed 14 Oct 2026 Rachel McLachlan: Making every moment count Scotland Women Rachel McLachlan: Making every moment count Mon 12 Oct 2026 How to Watch Australia Women vs Scotland Scotland Women How to Watch Australia Women vs Scotland Mon 12 Oct 2026 Exclusive first look: New Archive Collection revealed Scotland Men Exclusive first look: New Archive Collection revealed Thu 8 Oct 2026 Scotland Women squad to travel to Australia for WXV Global Series double-header confirmed Scotland Women Scotland Women squad to travel to Australia for WXV Global Series double-header confirmed Tue 6 Oct 2026 Scotland’s best tries of the Vodafone WXV Series Scotland Women Scotland’s best tries of the Vodafone WXV Series Tue 6 Oct 2026 House of Hope working with Scottish Rugby for Breast Cancer Awareness Month Scotland Women House of Hope working with Scottish Rugby for Breast Cancer Awareness Month Thu 1 Oct 2026 Match Report: Scotland 10-30 Australia Scotland Women Match Report: Scotland 10-30 Australia Sat 26 Sep 2026 Young female musicians set to make history at the Hive Stadium Scotland Women Young female musicians set to make history at the Hive Stadium Sat 26 Sep 2026 Sarah Bonar raring to be back at Hive Stadium for Vodafone Scotland WXV Series Scotland Women Sarah Bonar raring to be back at Hive Stadium for Vodafone Scotland WXV Series Thu 24 Sep 2026 Scotland Women team to face Australia in final home fixture of Vodafone Scotland WXV Series confirmed Scotland Women Scotland Women team to face Australia in final home fixture of Vodafone Scotland WXV Series confirmed Thu 24 Sep 2026 Scouting the Wallaroos: Australia’s WXV Squad Scotland Women Scouting the Wallaroos: Australia’s WXV Squad Tue 22 Sep 2026 Match Report: Scotland 14-66 New Zealand Scotland Women Match Report: Scotland 14-66 New Zealand Sat 19 Sep 2026 Rollie’s roots standing her in good stead Scotland Women Rollie’s roots standing her in good stead Fri 18 Sep 2026