Easson has named three uncapped players in the squad, with Fiona McIntosh, Demi Swann and Holly McIntyre included, while Evie Wills, Jenny Maxwell, Molly Wright and Shona Campbell have been ruled out of the tournament due to injury.

Saracens’ McIntosh has played an integral part in the Premiership Women’s Rugby side since 2020, with the lock featuring in the 2021/22 Allianz Premier 15s final, helping her side lift the silverware in an emphatic 43-21 win against Exeter Chiefs. McIntosh qualifies to play for Scotland through her dad, Alistair, who is from Govan.

Swann, who currently plies her trade at Worcester Warriors, pursued rugby while studying at Carleton University and the University of Toronto before joining the Premiership Women’s Rugby side this year. The prop is eligible to play for Scotland through her mother from Troon.

McIntyre, who is currently co-captain of the University of Edinburgh squad, has been a rising talent throughout the pathway system, having recently been involved in The Thistles squad during the inaugural Celtic Challenge competition and also the Scottish Futures programme.

The first fixtures of WXV 2023 takes place in WXV 2 on Friday 13 October at Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch as Scotland face hosts South Africa (kick-off 4.30pm).

The tournament then heads to Cape Town with the Athlone Stadium hosting the second and third rounds of WXV 2, with Scotland going head-to-head against USA on Friday 20 October (kick-off 2pm) before concluding their campaign against Japan on Friday 27 October (kick-off 2pm).

Easson said: “I’ve been really encouraged by the work-rate and effort that the squad has shown over our pre-season block, which included a lot of contact conditioning, fitness work and the opportunity to develop the style of rugby that we will be looking to execute throughout WXV.

“It’s been brilliant to welcome Fiona McIntosh and Demi Swann into the squad, while also seeing Holly McIntyre earn her place in the final selection after making her way through the pathway system.

“We’ve got a really important test on the horizon, as we’ll host Spain at the end of the month at Hive Stadium, which will provide a high-intensity challenge that will help us gauge where we are at as a squad going into WXV.”

In preparation for the tournament, Scotland host Spain at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh on Saturday 30 September (kick-off 5.45pm). Match tickets are on sale now on scottishrugbytickets.com.

Scotland Women squad for WXV 2 in Cape Town, South Africa

Forwards

Leah Bartlett (Leicester Tigers)
Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning)
Sarah Bonar (Harlequins)
Elliann Clarke (Bristol Bears)
Lisa Cockburn (University of Worcester Warriors)
Eva Donaldson (Leicester Tigers)
Evie Gallagher (University of Worcester Warriors)
Jade Konkel (Harlequins)
Rachel Malcolm (Loughborough Lightning) CAPTAIN
Elis Martin (Leicester Tigers)
Fiona McIntosh (Saracens)
Rachel McLachlan (Sale Sharks)
Louise McMillan (Saracens)
Lana Skeldon (University of Worcester Warriors)
Demi Swann (University of Worcester Warriors)
Emma Wassell (Loughborough Lightning)
Anne Young (Sale Sharks)

Backs

Beth Blacklock (Saracens)
Coreen Grant (Saracens)
Caity Mattinson (University of Worcester Warriors)
Mairi McDonald (Exeter Chiefs)
Francesca McGhie (Leicester Tigers)
Holly McIntyre (University of Edinburgh)
Rhona Lloyd (GB 7s / Les Lionnes du Stade Bordelais)
Liz Musgrove (Ealing Trailfinders)
Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning) VICE-CAPTAIN
Emma Orr (Heriots / Biggar)
Lisa Thomson (GB 7s)
Chloe Rollie (Loughborough Lightning)
Meryl Smith (Bristol Bears)