Five uncapped players have been named in a Scotland Women squad ahead of two autumn internationals before they defend their WXV 2 title in South Africa.  

The five uncapped players selected in the 35-player squad, which comprises 19 forwards and 16 backs, include Leia Brebner-Holden and Cieron Bell, who were in the squad for the Guinness Women’s Six Nations but did not play.  

Brebner-Holden, who recently featured for Scotland Women U20 in the Six Nations Summer Series in Parma, returns alongside age-teammates Holland Bogan, Lucia Scott and Gemma Bell, who have all earned their first call up to the senior squad. 

Leia Brebner-Holden trained with Scotland during the Six NationsLeia Brebner-Holden trained with Scotland during the Six Nations (Image: SNS)

Experienced quartet Jenny Maxwell, Jade Konkel, Beth Blacklock and Liz Musgrove all return to the set-up following lengthy injury lay-offs. Sarah Bonar returns from the shoulder injury she picked up in the Six Nations.  

GB Sevens double-Olympian, Lisa Thomson, has also been selected and will join the squad following her time in Paris. 

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Alongside the selected 35 players, Scotland Women U20 stars Merryn Gunderson, Natasha Logan, Hannah Walker, Hannah Ramsay and Aila Ronald have been invited into camp. 

Easson said: “It can’t be understated the importance of these next few months as we look to ensure Scotland Women qualify for the Rugby World Cup 2025 and maintain a top eight World Ranking position whilst competing in Cape Town. I believe this group can take us there. 

“The level of blended experience we have is unlike any Scotland Women’s team that has come before it.

"A few months ago, Meryl Smith, Evie Gallagher and Elliann Clarke were involved in the Premiership Women’s Rugby final against Gloucester-Hartpury, Alex Stewart has been one of the breakthrough stars of the Six Nations and we’ve seen Louise McMillan and Rhona Lloyd both earn their 50th caps.” 

While acknowledging the experience he has built up within the squad, Easson believes now is the right time to bring more young players in.

Scotland Women head coach Bryan EassonScotland Women head coach Bryan Easson (Image: SNS)  

“This is also a crucial time in the calendar cycle to bring in new faces and challenge our group,” he said.  

“The likes of Leia Brebner-Holden, Gemma Bell, Holland Bogan and Lucia Scott have all played well during the Summer Series and we’re looking forward to offering them up this opportunity to join us.  

“It is equally very pleasing to welcome Jenny Maxwell, Jade Konkel and Liz Musgrove back into our environment after an extended period out with injury. 

“The next few weeks are going to be all about focusing on how we best prepare ourselves for the challenges that lie ahead not only in the immediate future but the upcoming year.” 

Meanwhile, former Scotland hooker Fraser Brown has joined the coaching set-up following his retirement at the end of last season.  

Brown, who played more than 100 games for Glasgow Warriors and won 61 Scotland caps, replaces Martin Haag, who has stepped down.  

Former Scotland hooker Fraser Brown has joined the coaching staffFormer Scotland hooker Fraser Brown has joined the coaching staff (Image: SNS)

Easson added: “We’re very pleased to welcome Fraser to our coaching group. Fraser has a wealth of experience in high performance sport as both a player and coach, and we are really looking forward to working with him. 

“I’d like to express my gratitude to Martin for his commitment and contribution to Scotland Women over the years, and we all wish him well for the future.” 

Brown said: “I’m both honoured and excited about the opportunity to work with Scotland Women’s players and management group. 

"I’ve both seen and experienced first-hand the growth and potential of the women’s game in Scotland after my time coaching in the Celtic Challenge, and I’m really excited to see what we can achieve as a group." 

Brown will join the team on a consultancy basis as forwards coach until the end of the WXV 2 tournament.

Scotland Women training squad

Forwards:

Leah Bartlett (Leicester Tigers), Gemma Bell (Hartpury University/Gloucester Hartpury/Edinburgh Rugby), Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning), Holland Bogan (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors), Sarah Bonar (Harlequins), Elliann Clarke (Bristol Bears), Lisa Cockburn (unattached), Eva Donaldson (Leicester Tigers), Evie Gallagher (Bristol Bears), Jade Konkel (Harlequins), Rachel Malcolm (Loughborough Lightning), Elis Martin (Loughborough Lightning) Fiona McIntosh (Saracens) Rachel McLachlan (Montpellier), Louise McMillan (Saracens), Lana Skeldon (Bristol Bears), Alex Stewart (Corstorphine Cougars/Edinburgh Rugby), Emma Wassell (Loughborough Lightning), Anne Young (Loughborough Lightning)

Backs

Cieron Bell (University of Edinburgh/Edinburgh Rugby), Beth Blacklock (Saracens), Leia Brebner-Holden (Gloucester-Hartpury/Cheltenham Tigers), Coreen Grant (Saracens), Caity Mattinson (Ealing Trailfinders), Mairi McDonald (Exeter Chiefs), Francesca McGhie (Leicester Tigers), Jenny Maxwell (unattached), Liz Musgrove (Ealing Trailfinders), Rhona Lloyd (GB 7s/ Stade Bordelais), Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning), Emma Orr (Bristol Bears), Lisa Thomson (GB 7s/Ealing Trailfinders), Chloe Rollie (Ealing Trailfinders), Lucia Scott (Hartpury University/Gloucester Hartpury), Meryl Smith (Bristol Bears)