Easson keen to widen playing base ahead of World Cup event
Scotland rugby head coach Bryan Easson wants to “widen the player base” ahead of the final Women’s World Cup qualifying event at the start of 2022.
And he has challenged the four uncapped players named in the 26-strong squad to take on Japan in an Autumn Test on November 14 to grab their opportunity.
Details of the World Cup qualifying event – when Scotland will face Samoa, Columbia and one of Hong Kong or Kazakhstan for the final spot at the big tournament in New Zealand next October and November – have yet to be firmed up, but it looks like being in Dubai in January.
As a result, the upcoming Test against Japan at the DAM Health Stadium in Edinburgh is an important one to keep momentum going after the recent success at the European World Cup qualifiers.
Edinburgh University quartet Anne Young, a loosehead prop, scrum-half Holly Mcintyre, stand-off/centre Mer
yl Smith and winger Shona Campbell could all debut in the match.
And Easson said: “This is a great window to look at other players. With the World Cup being a tournament where you can take a squad of 32, this time allows us to widen the playing base.
“This game against Japan is ideal in two ways as it allows us to get the group back together after the time we had in Italy and it allows us to play against a team with a different style.
“The players are also excited to run out in front of a home crowd for the first time since 2019, especially as they've played mostly behind closed doors for the past 18 months.
“We’ve all hugely missed having crowds so it'll be fantastic to have supporters along at the DAM Health Stadium to cheer the players on.”
Second-row Lyndsay O’donnell, of Worcester Warriors, returns to the squad after a four-year absence, with back-row Rachel Malcolm captain as usual.
Scotland squad to play Japan: Forwards: Leah Bartlett, Christine Belisle, Sarah Bonar, Lisa Cockburn, Evie Gallagher, Jade Konkel, Rachel Malcolm (C), Rachel Mclachlan, Louise Mcmillan, Lyndsay O’donnell, Lana Skeldon, Emma Wassell, Molly Wright, Anne Young.
Backs: Shona Campbell, Megan Gaffney, Sarah Law, Rhona Lloyd, Jenny Maxwell, Holly Mcintyre, Helen Nelson, Chloe Rollie, Hannah Smith, Meryl Smith, Lisa Thomson, Evie Wills.