Sione Fukofuka has named his squad for his first Six Nations championship in charge of the Scotland Women’s team, marking a new era for the program. The appointment of Fukofuka followed the departure of Bryan Easson after the Rugby World Cup, and the new head coach has swiftly moved to shape his team for the upcoming tournament. The squad features a blend of experienced players and exciting new talent, with nine uncapped players included in the 38-player training group, as reported by Rugbypass.
The return of Emma Wassell is a significant boost for Scotland. She will rejoin the Six Nations setup for the first time in two years, having overcome a challenging period that included injury and a diagnosis of a benign tumour in her chest. Her experience will be invaluable as the team prepares for a competitive championship. However, the squad will too be without several experienced players who have announced their international retirements, including Jade Konkel, Lisa Cockburn, and Caity Mattinson.
Rachel Malcolm will continue to captain the side, providing leadership and stability. Fukofuka has also brought seven development players into the squad, all of whom have featured in this season’s Celtic Challenge competition for Glasgow Warriors, demonstrating a commitment to nurturing emerging talent. The squad will start preparations at Oriam, Scotland’s national performance centre for sport, on March 31st.
Squad Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at the Scotland Women’s Six Nations squad for 2026:
Forwards
- Leah Bartlett (Sale Sharks/49 caps)
- Holland Bogan (Glasgow Warriors/Stirling County/uncapped)
- Becky Boyd (Loughborough Lightning/3 caps)
- Elliann Clarke (Bristol Bears/24 caps)
- Emily Coubrough (Glasgow Warriors/University of Edinburgh/uncapped)
- Hollie Cunningham (Bristol Bears/2 caps)
- Eva Donaldson (Sale Sharks/21 caps)
- Poppy Fletcher (Glasgow Warriors/University of Edinburgh/uncapped)
- Evie Gallagher (Bristol Bears/40 caps)
- Rachel Malcolm (Trailfinders Women/61 caps)
- Elis Martin (Loughborough Lightning/26 caps)
- Rachel McLachlan (Montpellier/56 caps)
- Louise McMillan (Saracens/53 caps)
- Molly Poolman (Edinburgh Rugby/Watsonian FC/7 caps)
- Aila Ronald (Edinburgh Rugby/University of Edinburgh/uncapped)
- Lana Skeldon (Bristol Bears/84 caps)
- Imogen Spence (Glasgow Warriors/University of Edinburgh/uncapped)
- Alex Stewart (Edinburgh Rugby/17 caps)
- Aicha Sutcliffe (Glasgow Warriors/Stirling County/uncapped)
- Emma Wassell (Trailfinders Women/72 caps)
- Anne Young (Loughborough Lightning/22 caps)
Backs
- Ceitidh Ainsworth (Glasgow Warriors/Stirling County/uncapped)
- Leia Brebner-Holden (Loughborough Lightning/15 caps)
- Shona Campbell (Sale Sharks/9 caps)
- Rhea Clarke (Bristol Bears/2 caps)
- Rianna Darroch (Glasgow Warriors/Hillhead Jordanhill/uncapped)
- Coreen Grant (Harlequins/17 caps)
- Rhona Lloyd (Sale Sharks/62 caps)
- Francesca McGhie (Trailfinders Women/26 caps)
- Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning/75 caps)
- Emma Orr (Bristol Bears/34 caps)
- Rachel Philipps (Sale Sharks/1 cap)
- Hannah Ramsay (Edinburgh Rugby/Watsonian FC/2 caps)
- Chloe Rollie (Toulon Provence Méditerranée/81 caps)
- Lucia Scott (Loughborough Lightning/7 caps)
- Meryl Smith (Bristol Bears/22 caps)
- Hannah Walker (Edinburgh Rugby/University of Edinburgh/uncapped)
- Evie Wills (Sale Sharks/8 caps)
Fukofuka has set ambitious targets for his team, aiming for a top-three finish in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations, as stated in a recent interview. This ambition reflects a desire to elevate Scotland’s performance on the international stage, particularly with the Rugby World Cup 2029 in Australia on the horizon and the evolving global women’s calendar.
The squad’s preparation will be crucial as they navigate a challenging Six Nations campaign. The blend of experience, led by captain Rachel Malcolm, and emerging talent, highlighted by the nine uncapped players, suggests a forward-looking approach under Fukofuka’s guidance. The return of Emma Wassell after her health battle adds a compelling narrative to the team’s journey.
The focus now shifts to the training camp at Oriam, where Fukofuka will function to integrate the new players and refine the team’s strategies. The upcoming Six Nations promises to be a pivotal moment for Scotland Women, as they strive to achieve their ambitious goals and establish themselves as a force in international rugby.
What are your thoughts on the new squad? Share your predictions for Scotland’s performance in the Six Nations in the comments below!
