“`html
Lucia Scott sustained an injury during Saturday’s match against Ireland.
A broken hand has unfortunately sidelined Lucia Scott, preventing the “exciting talent” from participating in what Scotland’s head coach, Bryan Easson, anticipated would be “a huge” Women’s Rugby World Cup for the 21-year-old.
The Loughborough Lightning full-back is a notable absence from the final 32-player squad announced by Easson for the competition, set to commence in England later this month.
The Scotland coach expressed his “so disappointed” for Scott, confirming that she underwent surgery for an injury incurred in Saturday’s defeat to Ireland.
“She is such an exciting talent – full-back, wing, handling skills, kicking skills,” Easson stated to BBC Scotland. “I genuinely thought she was going to have a huge World Cup.”
Jones leads much-changed Ireland against Canada
However, Lana Skeldon has been selected, despite the Bristol hooker, the squad’s most-capped member with 81 appearances, being stretchered off the field during the same Saturday match.
“To get Lana Skeldon cleared after that injury is a huge relief, as she is an exceptional player and the most experienced player we’ve got here,” Easson commented.
“When we saw her go down against Ireland, it was a heart-in-mouth moment.”
Bristol Bears players Elliann and Rhea Clarke have made history as the first Scottish sisters selected for the same Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Scrum-half Rhea, with one cap, joins prop Elliann, who has represented her country 22 times, in the squad for the finals.
Edinburgh Rugby/University of Edinburgh winger Hannah Walker is the sole uncapped player included in the selection.
Trailfinders second row Emma Wassell has successfully returned to international rugby following recovery from a benign chest tumor in September.
Captain Rachel Malcolm leads a squad comprising 18 forwards and 14 backs for a Pool B campaign against Wales, Fiji, and Canada.
The flanker is among 21 players who participated in the previous Rugby World Cup, held in 2022.
Easson, who is departing from his role after the tournament, added: “To go to a Rugby World Cup is the pinnacle for any player, and also for anyone in our management team. There’s real excitement to go to that, but the fact that it is the last dance does add a little bit of an edge to it.”
“I am so excited to see what this group can do, and I want to finish it off as well as I can.”
Rhea and Elliann Clarke both represent Bristol Bears.
Forwards
Leah Bartlett (Sale Sharks), Becky Boyd (Loughborough Lightning), Sarah Bonar (Harlequins), Elliann Clarke (Bristol Bears), Lisa Cockburn (Gloucester Hartpury), Eva Donaldson (Sale Sharks ), Evie Gallagher (Bristol Bears), Adelle Ferrie (Edinburgh Rugby/Corstorphine Cougars), Jade Konkel (Harlequins), Rachel Malcolm, captain (Trailfinders Women), Elis Martin (Loughborough Lightning), Rachel McLachlan (Montpellier), Molly Poolman (Edinburgh Rugby/Watsonian), Lana Skeldon (Bristol Bears), Alex Stewart (Edinburgh Rugby/Corstorphine Cougars), Emma Wassell (Trailfinders Women), Molly Wright (Sale Sharks), Anne Young (Loughborough Lightning).
Backs
Leia Brebner-Holden (Loughborough Lightning), Beth Blacklock (Saracens), Rhea Clarke (Bristol Bears), Coreen Grant (Harlequins), Rhona Lloyd (Sale Sharks), Caity Mattinson (Trailfinders Women), Francesca McGhie (Trailfinders Women), Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning), Hannah Ramsay (Edinburgh Rugby/University of Edinburgh), Chloe Rollie (Toulon Provence Mediterranee), Emma Orr (Bristol Bears), Lisa Thomson (Trailfinders Women), Hannah Walker (Edinburgh Rugby/University of Edinburgh), Evie Wills (Sale Sharks).
Scottish Rugby Union
“`