Bryan Easson (Scotland) reveals his 34-strong extended training squad.
They are:
Forwards: Leah Bartlett (Leicester Tigers), Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning), Becky Boyd* (Loughborough Lightning), Sarah Bonar (Harlequins), Elliann Clarke (Bristol Bears), Hollie Cunningham* (Bristol Bears), Evie Gallagher (Bristol Bears), Adelle Ferrie* (Edinburgh/Corstorphine Cougars), Jade Konkel (Harlequins), Rachel Malcolm (captain, Loughborough Lightning), Elis Martin (Loughborough Lightning), Rachel McLachlan (Montpellier), Aila Ronald* (Edinburgh/ University of Edinburgh), Molly Poolman* (Edinburgh/University of Edinburgh), Lana Skeldon (Bristol Bears), Alex Stewart (Edinburgh/Corstorphine Cougars), Anne Young (Loughborough Lightning), Molly Wright (Sale Sharks)
Backs: Leia Brebner-Holden (Loughborough Lightning), Beth Blacklock (Saracens), Rhea Clarke* (Edinburgh/University of Edinburgh), Rhona Lloyd (Les Lionnes du Stade Bordelais), Caity Mattinson (Trailfinders), Francesca McGhie (Leicester Tigers), Liz Musgrove (Trailfinders), Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning), Rachel Philipps* (Sale Sharks), Chloe Rollie (Trailfinders), Lucia Scott (Edinburgh/Gloucester-Hartpury), Emma Orr (Bristol Bears), Lisa Thomson (Trailfinders), Hannah Walker* (Edinburgh/University of Edinburgh), Evie Wills (Leicester Tigers), Meg Varley* (Bristol Bears)
*uncapped
Easson follows the traditional pattern of opening the door as wide as possible, to cover present needs and future prospects. He includes no fewer than nine uncapped players, but may be relieved that his captain, Rachel Malcolm, didn’t announce her complete retirement from rugby this week, only from Loughborough.
‘Day trainers’, not day-trippers!
In addition to the 34, he calls up three players each from Edinburgh Rugby (Hannah Ramsay, Natasha Logan and Talei Tawake) and Glasgow Warriors (Emily Coubrough, Holland Bogan and Poppy Mellanby). They are charmingly termed ‘day trainers’. They show the value of the Celtic Challenge and the Under 20s, to add more competition for places in the final squad.
The two Celtic Challenge sides are formed overwhelmingly from players at local clubs. It would be nice to think they won’t need to seek an English club to continue their rise.
Ins and Outs
Three players, Louise McMillan, Fi McIntosh and Mairi McDonald, find themselves sadly discarded. It’s a slight surprise, since the first two are both locks. Easson must be sure he has the necessary resources there; the second row has rarely been a strongpoint for the Scots. Adelle Ferrie is a promising newcomer, while Sarah Bonar has spent time on the flank for Quins.
Grandparents have been hard at work, allowing Becky Boyd, Hollie Cunningham and Meg Varley to seek international recognition. Varley has become very prominent for Bristol in the PWR this season. Cunningham has proved herself a real workhorse across the years.
Even after he’s sifted the numbers down to a final squad, Easson will be left with tricky decisions: how to fit all his most talnted players into one cohesive squad. Even without the injured Coreen Grant and Meryl Smith, he looks to have an exciting back line.
The first round of the 6 Nations will reveal many secrets. The Scots are to host the Welsh at the Hive. Home advantage always helps, but there is such a sense of expectancy about the new Cymru side Sean Lynn is stitching together. Last year the Scots won a tight match 20-18 in Cardiff.
The hard work begins.
