Bryan Easson has listed the following 36 players:
Forwards: Leah Bartlett and Christine Belisle (both Loughborough), 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), Jade Konkel-Roberts (Harlequins) Rachel Malcolm (Loughborough), Elis Martin (DMP Sharks), Rachel McLachlan (Sale Sharks), Louise McMillan (Saracens), Panashe Muzambe (Exeter), Lyndsay O’Donnell (Bristol), Lana Skeldon (University of Worcester), *Emma Turner (Corstorphine), Jodie Rettie (Saracens) Emma Wassell (Loughborough), Anne Young (Sale) (21)
Backs: *Beth Blacklock (Harlequins), *Rhea Clarke (University of Edinburgh), Coreen Grant (Saracens), Sarah Law (Sale), Caity Mattinson (University of Worcester), Mairi McDonald (Exeter), “Francesca McGhie (Watsonians), *Holly McIntyre (University of Edinburgh), Liz Musgrove (Wasps), Helen Nelson (Loughborough), Emma Orr (Heriot’s/Biggar), Chloe Rollie (Loughborough), Eilidh Sinclair (Exeter), Meryl Smith (University of Edinburgh), Evie Wills (Hillhead Jordanhill) (15)
*uncapped players (7)
Rachel Malcolm is reappointed captain.
It’s heartening to see nine players selected from Scottish clubs; that is where Scotland have a headstart over Wales. The seven newcomers include five who figured in the Celtic Challenge, which has proved so valuable in revealing talent worthy of promotion to the elite squad.
Beth Blacklock becomes another player to adopt a new national allegiance. Though she has not been capped by England, her career thus far has been England-based, starting at Durham University and DMP Sharks before signing for Quins in 2020. She could well provide a much needed boost for Scotland’s midfield.
The split between forwards and backs (21/15) is as extreme as we have seen, but lands on the side of commonsense.
Though Scotland start as the back markers from the 2022 competition, they have since had contracts put in place, new coaches appointed (Chris Laidlaw becomes attack coach) and enjoyed some real success in the Celtic Challenge (they beat Wales in Cardiff); they also took great encouragement from appearing at the World Cup after a long hiatus. They are helped by having three home fixtures, against Wales, Italy then Ireland in turn. The number of victories they can achieve from that trio will indicate how far they have advanced.
It will be fascinating to see how adventurous Bryan Easson is in his choice of a first 23, to play England in Newcastle in Round One. Will he be brave and introduce new faces, or play cautious and stick to the tried and trusted?
