Chiefs Duo Named in Scotland Squad for WXV
Scotland Women Head Coach, Bryan Easson, has announced an extended training squad ahead of the new global competition, WXV, getting underway in October, along with confirming the appointment of Matt Banahan as Attack Coach. The squad features two Exeter Chiefs in it's ranks with winger Eilidh Sinclair and scrum-half Mairi McDonald both set to feature.
The 32-player squad, comprising 16 forwards and 16 backs, will convene in camp today for a six-week block of training sessions, culminating in a warm-up fixture against Spain at Hive Stadium on Saturday 30 September (kick-off 5.45pm).
Loughborough Lightning duo Rachel Malcolm and Helen Nelson will once again take on the roles as captain and vice-captain respectively.
Nikki Simpson and Holly McIntyre earn a call-up to the training squad, with both players impressing in the Celtic Challenge competition and Scottish Futures programme earlier this year, while Lisa Cockburn, Jenny Maxwell, Sarah Bonar and Emma Wasssell return to the fold following lengthy injury spells.
GB 7s players Lisa Thomson, Rhona Lloyd and Shona Campbell also return to the squad, with the trio securing Olympic 2024 qualification earlier this summer.
Easson said: “Following the end of the TikTok Women’s Six Nations, we were in a positive place and we used last season to unearth some new caps and give opportunities to younger players such as Francesca McGhie, Meryl Smith and Elliann Clarke.
“We’ve also got experienced players returning this season such as Emma Wassell, Jenny Maxwell, Jade Konkel, Lisa Cockburn and Sarah Bonar which is really exciting for us.”
Scotland Women Extended Training Squad:
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)
Rachel McLachlan (Sale Sharks)
Louise McMillan (Saracens)
Lana Skeldon (University of Worcester Warriors)
Nikki Simpson (Garioch)
Emma Wassell (Loughborough Lightning)
Anne Young (Sale Sharks)
Backs
Beth Blacklock (Saracens)
Shona Campbell (GB 7s)
Coreen Grant (Saracens)
Caity Mattinson (University of Worcester Warriors)
Jenny Maxwell (Loughborough Lightning)
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)
Chloe Rollie (Loughborough Lightning)
Eilidh Sinclair (Exeter Chiefs)
Meryl Smith (Bristol Bears)
Lisa Thomson (GB 7s)