Bryony Nelson will hope to make it a family affair when Scotland Women face Italy in their first autumn international after she was one of seven new call-ups to Shade Munro’s squad.
It is the first time that Bryony has been selected alongside sister Helen at international XVs level despite the pair having shared a field for Scotland 7s earlier this year.
Elsewhere Lisa Cockburn could make her international debut on the back of some fine domestic performances for Darlington Mowden Park, while Lucy Winter, Caitlin Sedgeworth, Mairi Forsyth and Annabel Sergeant have also been added to the group.
Rachel McLachlan has been promoted from the Scottish Futures U20 Squad in recognition of her promising talents in the back row.
Scotland will look to avenge their 26-12 defeat to Italy in this year’s Women’s Six Nations as they travel to Calvisano to face the Azzurre, and head coach Munro is relishing the challenge.
“This squad are looking forward to the upcoming internationals against Italy, Canada and Spain and we hope they will provide good preparation for us going into the Six Nations Championship,” he said.
“We have an experienced group for the upcoming matches and they have been gelling well together in our recent training weekends.”
Scotland return home to host Canada in their second and final November Test at the end of the month, looking to build up a head of steam with next year’s Women’s Six Nations fast approaching.
Watch Scotland’s trip to Italy live on the Federazione Italiana Rugby YouTube channel at 2:30pm on Sunday 4 November.
Forwards
Sarah Bonar (Loughborough Lightning) Lisa Cockburn (Darlington Mowden Park RFC) Siobhan Cattigan (Stirling County) Katie Dougan (Gloucester-Hartpury Mairi Forsyth (Stirling County) Nicola Howat (Edinburgh University) Megan Kennedy (Stirling County) Rachel McLachlan (West of Scotland) Louise McMillan (Hillhead/Jordanhill) Siobhan McMillan (Hillhead/Jordanhill) Jodie Rettie (Saracens) Lana Skeldon (Watsonians) Emma Wassell (Unattached) Lucy Winter (Edinburgh University)
Backs
Abi Evans (Hillhead Jordanhill) Mhairi Grieve (Firwood Waterloo) Lauren Harris (Bristol Women) Lisa Martin (Lille Metropole Rugby Club Villeneuvios) Jenny Maxwell (Loughborough Lightning) Bry Nelson (Watsonians) Helen Nelson (Montpellier) Chloe Rollie (Lille Metropole Rugby Club Villeneuvios) Caitlin Sedgeworth (Durham University/Darlington Mowden Park RFC) Annabel Sergeant (Unattached) Lisa Thomson (Darlington Mowden Park RFC)
