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Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Bryan Easson names 38-player training squad ahead of World Cup
Scotland Women's Head Coach Bryan Easson has named a 38-player extended training squad in preparation for the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, set to take place in England this August. 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) Like this: Like Related
BBC News
4 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Wassell back in Scotland fold after tumour surgery
Emma Wassell returns to the Scotland squad after missing all of the 2024-25 season following surgery to remove a tumour from her 67 times, the 30-year-old second row from Aberdeen is included in a 38-strong extended training group as preparations begin for the World Cup in England in Cunningham and Coreen Grant are back from injuries and there are places for the uncapped quartet of Aila Ronald, Hannah Ramsay, Hannah Walker and Meg was diagnosed with a benign tumour in September last year, with two procedures required to remove it."The health is very good," she told the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast in late April. "I feel ready to keep pushing on. "Mentally, I was worried about how I was going to feel doing contact but I'm ready to get stuck in." The squad will be in camp throughout June, with 32 making the cut for the tournament, where Scotland will take on Canada, Wales and Fiji in the pool stage."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," said head coach Bryan Easson."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."We've named a strong, competitive group that blends hard-earned experience with exciting young talent."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 training squad Forwards: Leah Bartlett, Gemma Bell, Becky Boyd, Sarah Bonar, Elliann Clarke, Hollie Cunningham, Lisa Cockburn, Eva Donaldson, Evie Gallagher, Adelle Ferrie, Jade Konkel, Rachel Malcolm, Elis Martin, Rachel McLachlan, Aila Ronald, Molly Poolman, Lana Skeldon, Alex Stewart, Emma Wassell, Molly Wright, Anne Leia Brebner-Holden, Beth Blacklock, Rhea Clarke, Coreen Grant, Rhona Lloyd, Caity Mattinson, Francesca McGhie, Helen Nelson, Rachel Philipps, Hannah Ramsay, Chloe Rollie, Lucia Scott, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Hannah Walker, Evie Wills, Meg Varley.
BBC News
20-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Cunningham to make Scotland debut in Wales opener
Women's Six Nations: Scotland v WalesVenue: The Hive Stadium, Edinburgh Date: Saturday, 22 March Kick-off: 16:45 GMTCoverage: Watch live on BBC One Wales, BBC Two Scotland, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport online and listen on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru Bristol Bears second row Hollie Cunningham will complete her switch from England to Scotland after being handed her debut in Bryan Easson's side for their Women's Six Nations opener at home to Wales on Ellianne Clarke and fellow prop Anne Young, of Loughborough Lightning, will make their first Six Nations Rugby/Corstorphine Cougars second row Adelle Ferrie should make her debut after being named among the after recovering from a cruciate ligament injury, Leicester Tigers fly-half Evie Wills is in line for her first international appearance in three years after also being listed on the bench. Cunningham has represented England at Under-18 and Under-20 levels but qualifies for Scotland through her grandmother and Easson revealed: "We have had our eye on her for a little while. "It is great to see somebody new coming in who drives standards."She is experienced, she has been involved with England at Under-20, she was involved in their Six Nations squad last year as well, but as soon as I spoke to her, she has been desperate, she has been really excited to be involved in the group and she has fitted in really well."Scotland and Wales have been drawn in the same pool for this summer's World Cup and Saturday's game is a bit of a step into the unknown given that the visitors have a new head coach after recruiting Sean Lynn from Gloucester-Hartpury."There is always a new coach bounce, there is always the excitement of a new coach coming in, but I will be honest, there is a big difference between club rugby and international rugby," Easson said."Sean is a good guy, he has done really well at Gloucester and congratulations on that, but this week has been important for us to concentrate more on ourselves than it is the opposition."Easson is rejecting any suggestion it is a chance to lay down a bit of marker, or gain a psychological edge, over the Welsh for the World Cup."I think you have got to respect the Six Nations as the tournament that it is," he said. "It is the best tournament in the world annually and you have to respect Wales in this game because they have got a new coach and they have got new players as well."So three, four, five month's time, whatever it is, it could be a different team you are looking at, different styles."Easson has opted for a split of six forwards and just two backs on the bench."I think the 6-2 split for us is exciting to be able to do it - we have got the players to be able to do it now," he added. Scotland team to face Wales Starting XV: Chloe Rollie (Trailfinders), Rhona Lloyd (Les Lionnes du Stade Bordelais) , Emma Orr (Bristol Bears), Lisa Thomson (Trailfinders), Francesca McGhie (Leicester Tigers), Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning), Leia Brebner-Holden (Loughborough Lightning); Anne Young (Loughborough Lightning), Lana Skeldon (Bristol Bears), Elliann Clarke (Bristol Bears), Hollie Cunningham (Bristol Bears), Sarah Bonar (Harlequins), Rachel Malcolm, captain (Unattached), Rachel McLachlan (Montpellier), Evie Gallagher (Bristol Bears).Replacements: Elis Martin (Loughborough Lightning), Leah Bartlett (Leicester Tigers), Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning), Adelle Ferrie (Edinburgh Rugby/Corstorphine Cougars), Alex Stewart (Edinburgh Rugby/Corstorphine Cougars), Jade Konkel (Harlequins), Caity Mattinson (Trailfinders), Evie Wills (Leicester Tigers).
