Trio named in Scotland Women's squad

By Mark Stevens
14/3/23

Scotland Women Head Coach Bryan Easson today named a 36-player squad for the upcoming 2023 TikTok Women’s Six Nations championship.

The squad - comprising the Exeter Chiefs trio of Panashe Muzambe, Mairi McDonald and Eilidh Sinclair - will be led once again by Rachel Malcolm with Loughborough Lightning team-mate Helen Nelson named as vice-captain.

Easson, himself a former Chiefs players, has selected seven uncapped players in the squad, with five of those players recently featuring in the inaugural Celtic Challenge competition.

Forwards Erinn Foley and Emma Turner have been rewarded for their recent performances in the competition with a place in the national squad, while backs Rhea Clarke, Fran McGhie and Holly McIntyre also impressed during their time in The Thistles shirt.

Lock Fiona Cooper, who previously captained Scotland U20s during the 2015/16 season, earns a call-up to the squad, while centre Beth Blacklock could also make her Scotland debut.

Easson said: “We are entering a fresh, exciting period for the Scotland Women programme, with professional contracts in place, new faces to the squad and management team and a new Rugby World Cup cycle beginning.

“It was fantastic to get the Celtic Challenge competition underway back in January and a number of younger players have rightfully earned their spot in the squad after some impressive performances across the four games.

“We have a good mix of experienced and younger players, so will be exciting to see what the group are capable of over the coming weeks.”

It has also been confirmed that Chris Laidlaw will join Easson’s backroom staff as Attack Coach. Laidlaw has recently worked with a large cohort of the squad for the past two months as the Assistant Coach for The Thistles and has previously coached in the FOSROC Scottish Rugby Academy programme for the Edinburgh region.

He has also previously worked with eight of the backs named in the squad during his time as Interim Head Coach of Scotland Women 7s in 2021, where he helped the side secure their first ever Commonwealth Games qualification.

Easson added: “It’s fantastic to add Chris to the coaching set-up, following on from the recent news about Martin Haag’s appointment as Forwards Coach as well, and I’m looking forward to working with him and the rest of the management group over the coming weeks.”

Scotland will get their TikTok Women’s Six Nations campaign underway at Kingston Park, Newcastle, against current title holders England on Saturday 25 March (kick-off 4.45pm).

The side will run out in front of a home crowd at DAM Health Stadium the following week, as they face Wales (Saturday 1 April, kick-off 5.30pm).

Following a week’s break in the tournament, Scotland will head to Stade de la Rabine in Vannes to go head-to-head against France (Sunday 16 April, kick-off 3.15pm).

The side will return home for the last two contests, as they take on Italy on Saturday 22 April (kick-off 4.45pm), before the tournament concludes with a “Super Saturday” finale, with Scotland facing Ireland at DAM Health Stadium (kick-off 7.30pm).

Tickets and three-match packages for Scotland’s home fixtures (v Wales, Italy and Ireland) at DAM Health Stadium are on sale now. Individual tickets are £15 for adults, £10 for students, £5 for concessions and children under 12 go free with a paying adult, booking fees apply. Secure your tickets here.

SCOTLAND WOMEN'S SQUAD FOR SIX NATIONS

FORWARDS (21)

Leah Bartlett (Loughborough Lightning)
Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning)
Sarah Bonar (Harlequins)
Elliann Clarke (University of Edinburgh)
Lisa Cockburn (University of Worcester Warriors)
Fiona Cooper (Wasps)
Eva Donaldson (University of Edinburgh)
Erinn Foley (Hillhead Jordanhill)
Evie Gallagher (University of Worcester Warriors)
Jade Konkel-Roberts (Harlequins)
Rachel Malcolm (Loughborough Lightning, capt)
Elis Martin (DMP Sharks)
Rachel McLachlan (Sale Sharks)
Louise McMillan (Saracens)
Panashe Muzambe (Exeter Chiefs)
Lyndsay O’Donnell (Bristol Bears)
Lana Skeldon (University of Worcester Warriors)
Emma Turner (Corstorphine Cougars)
Jodie Rettie (Saracens)
Emma Wassell (Loughborough Lightning)
Anne Young (Sale Sharks)

BACKS (15)

Beth Blacklock (Harlequins)
Rhea Clarke (University of Edinburgh)
Coreen Grant (Saracens)
Sarah Law (Sale Sharks)
Caity Mattinson (University of Worcester Warriors)
Mairi McDonald (Exeter Chiefs)
Francesca McGhie (Watsonians)
Holly McIntyre (University of Edinburgh)
Liz Musgrove (Wasps)
Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning)
Emma Orr (Heriot’s / Biggar)
Chloe Rollie (Loughborough Lightning)
Eilidh Sinclair (Exeter Chiefs)
Meryl Smith (University of Edinburgh)
Evie Wills (Hillhead Jordanhill)

Scotland Fixtures

Saturday 25 March: England v Scotland; Kingston Park, Newcastle (kick-off 4.45pm) – live on BBC Two

Saturday 1 April: Scotland v Wales; DAM Health Stadium, Edinburgh (kick-off 5.30pm) – live on BBC Two

Sunday 16 April: France v Scotland; Stade de la Rabine, Vannes (kick-off 3.15pm) – live on BBC Scotland

Saturday 22 April: Scotland v Italy; DAM Health Stadium, Edinburgh (kick-off 4.45pm) – live on BBC Scotland

Saturday 29 April: Scotland v Ireland; DAM Health Stadium, Edinburgh (kick-off 7.30pm) – live on BBC Scotland