Scottish Rugby

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Helen Nelson says the chance to play in the World Cup is keeping Scotland women "level-headed" as they prepare for the Autumn Tests against Wales and Fiji, and then the WXV2 campaign.

The Scots are all but qualified for the World Cup and Nelson says the players are keeping one eye towards the tournament in England.

"We've been talking about that 14-month journey and everything is building towards the World Cup," the Scotland vice captain said.

"Building our depth in the squad is really important and also that base fitness. pre-season is all about getting that, working hard but also just knowing we've got that World Cup as the end goal in sight.

"That's been really good to keep up level-headed and know that we've got that in our sight."

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Scotland second-row Sarah Bonar praised the impact of forwards coach Fraser Brown since he joined the national team set-up.

Brown was brought in on a short-term basis for the Autumn Tests against Wales and Fiji, and then the WXV2 campaign.

With a World Cup on the horizon, Bonar says peaking for that is the team's main focus, and she believes they are well placed to continue their "remarkable" development.

"Fraser coming in has been class, real intensity around how we want to drive our set-piece but also attacking contacts as well," she said.

"Just giving that clarity around what we want to do has been great. [Pre-season] has been tough, but good. A block of four weeks before a Test window has been good for us to come together and work on conditioning and also our game play.

"This year is ultimately about the World Cup, and the next couple of Tests are building blocks towards that. Our progress has been remarkable, our results are more consistent and we're contending against the best teams in the world."

Bonar also spoke candidly about a difficult few months earlier this year, when a shoulder injury in the first game of the Six Nations against Wales ruled her out of the rest of the championship.

"Tricky, especially off missing the previous Six Nations campaign with my other shoulder," Bonar added.

"From a personal point of view, you want to have that consistency of game time and I've struggled with that internationally. over the last couple of seasons.

"From a personal note, it was gutting, but then being able to support the girls in a different capacity was great."

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Australia tighthead prop Sam Talakai has agreed to join Glasgow Warriors, subject to visa.

The URC club say the 32-year-old will arrive at Scotstoun "in the coming weeks".

Former Waratahs player Talakai has made a century of Super Rugby appearances and was most recently with Melbourne Rebels. He won his solitary senior international cap in a 2022 win over Wales.

As well as representing Australia A and the Barbarians, the prop also had a four-year spell in Japan with Tokyo Sungoliath.

Head coach Franco Smith says Glasgow have signed "a proven performer" in Talakai.

"Sam is a proven performer who we believe can add to our squad this season," Smith said.

"To play 100 matches in Super Rugby shows the consistently high levels of performance he brings, and to have someone with that experience in our squad that our young, Scottish-qualified front-rowers can learn from can only benefit both the club and Scottish rugby in the long term.

“Adding Sam also allows us to manage the workload of our senior international front-rowers, across what will be a long and physical season."

Talaka says the "direction the club is heading" was a key factor in the move.

He added: "There’s a great squad assembled and my kids getting to experience a new culture – both as part of Glasgow Warriors and in the city of Glasgow – is the cherry on top.

"I’m someone who just goes to work and executes my core role for the team."

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Former Scotland hooker Fraser Brown says the way his playing career ended helped him make the move into coaching.

Brown - who made 141 appearances for Glasgow and won 61 Scotland caps during his career - suffered a serious knee injury in May 2023 and did not play again before retiring at the end of last season.

The 35-year-old is working as forwards coach for Scotland Women after stints with Glasgow Warriors' women's side and Watsonians, and he is excited at where his coaching career might lead.

"Retiring isn't easy; retiring injured is particularly difficult," Brown said.

"The benefit for me was having a long-term injury and probably knowing from quite a way out. I had a lot of time, a year to go and coach in different environments - Glasgow in the Celtic Challenge, head coach at Watsonians.

"Having such a serious injury gave me the freedom to go and get coaching experience.

"It's not nice retiring but there's always the next part of your journey. It was tough right at the start and the more I knew where I wanted to go post-playing, the more exciting it became.

"It didn’t turn into one of those 'end of the road' type of things, it was just 'How can I use this for what I want to do next?'."

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Fraser Brown has urged Scottish Rugby to continue to invest in women's rugby.

Former international Brown has joined Bryan Easson's Scotland Women coaching team and is helping the squad prepare for two autumn Tests against Wales and Fiji in Edinburgh next month before they look to defend their WXV2 title.

"You need to win, whether you like it or not," Brown said.

"When you win in sport it generates momentum, public interest and participation, particularly in younger groups. We need to keep growing as individuals, coaches and especially players.

"There's a short-term goal, which is the next five games, but then the World Cup is months out. There's still a lot of improvement in the squad and that's what we’ve been pushing every day.

"You can't put a ceiling on your own performance, you can't get comfortable, you have to keep learning and growing. As a union as well, we have to grow and invest. It's not easy. If we win and play well it helps that momentum."

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Edinburgh have bolstered their backroom team ahead of the new season with the addition of two-time Major Rugby League-winning head coach Scott Mathie as the new attack and backs coach.

Mathie, 41, is from South Africa and joins from the New England Free Jacks, where he enjoyed MRL title triumphs in 2023 and 2024.

His arrival brings about a reshuffle in head coach Sean Everitt's team, with Rob Chrystie's roll shifting to skills and off the ball coach. He also becomes head coach of the Edinburgh 'A' team.

Mathie, who's grandfather was from Falkirk, is looking forward to "getting stuck in" with Edinburgh and starts work on Monday.

“It's a great opportunity to get involved at such a prestigious club in a city that is very close to my heart," he said.

"I'm looking forward to linking up with Sean and his staff and really getting stuck into the work.

"I'm big on connection, on and off the field. The better we understand each other off the field and the harder we work to get connected to the ball on the field, is really what it’s all about for me.”

The head coach too expressed his excitement, saying, "Scott will bring a fresh perspective and energy to the group, and I’m excited for him to get started."

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Winger Wes Goosen insists his best is yet to come in an Edinburgh jersey.

After an injury-ravaged first season in the capital, the Kiwi shone last term and was voted players' player of the year by his team-mates.

"I guess my team-mates appreciate what I’m doing on the field and I’m a huge team man," Goosen, 28, told Edinburgh's website.

"I want to be that kind of person who is always a team person first, not out there for himself.

"I still think I can go to another level, which I want to build on this year. Personally, my goal is not to be happy with last year.

"Not being cocky, last year was good for me, but I keep saying it, I’ve still got so much more.

"I feel like I can influence the game more. I can maybe score a few more tries."

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Premier Sports has been announced as the new lead broadcaster for Champions Cup and Challenge Cup rugby in the UK and Ireland.

The three-year deal starts this season and will run until 2027 covering all 63 Champions Cup games plus two Challenge Cup matches per round, two in the last-16 and all knockout fixtures from the quarter-finals onward.

URC champions Glasgow Warriors open their Challenge Cup campaign at home to Sale Sharks on 7 December and also face Toulon, Racing 92 and Harlequins in the pool stage.

Edinburgh start away to Gloucester in the Challenge Cup where they will also take on Vannes, Black Lion and Bayonne.

EPCR chief executive Jacques Raynaud said: "Premier Sports has huge ambition to become the home of club rugby in the UK and Ireland, along with their rights to Top 14 and URC competitions.

"In addition to the match-day coverage, the creation of a 24/7 rugby channel represents a step-change in Premier Sports’ rugby coverage."

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Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt believes his side have improved in all areas during the off-season, as the South African looks to improve on an underwhelming first season in charge.

Everitt's side finished 10th in the URC last campaign, missing out on the competition's quarter-finals with rivals Glasgow emerging as champions.

However, Everitt is encouraged by what he has seen in pre-season.

"We've made strides in all facets of the game," he said. "Our attacking statistics were good, but we need to be more clinical in converting opportunities into tries. That’s the focus of our pre-season work.

“We had a lot of growth last season, but ultimately, finishing outside the top eight was disappointing.

"We had stayed in the race in the top four until the end of January and then unfortunately going on that South African tour and not getting any points from it probably took its toll on us and left too much to do at the end."

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Scotland prop Lisa Cockburn has signed for PWR champions Gloucester-Hartpury, joining from fellow English side Leicester Tigers.

Cockburn, 31, has made 30 appearances for Scotland having made her debut against Italy in 2018.

Earlier this week, winger Cieron Bell left Edinburgh to sign for PWR side Loughborough Lightning.

The 22-year-old was involved in Scotland's squad during the most recent Six Nations campaign, but is yet to make her full international debut.

Bell joins fellow Scots Rachel Malcolm, Helen Nelson, Christine Belisle, Emma Wassell, Anne Young and Elis Martin at Lightning.

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Scottish rugby referee Hollie Davidson will become the first woman to hold the position of assistant referee during the Rugby Championship later this month.

The Scot, 31, will run the line for Australia’s clash with South Africa in Brisbane next Saturday and perform the role again when the sides meet for the second time in Perth a week later.

Davidson was also the first female referee to be part of the on-field officiating team in a Six Nations match in February, and was the main whistler when Portugal took on the world champion Springboks in the summer tests.

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Former Scotland centre Matt Scott has joined Edinburgh on a one-year deal, signing up for a third spell at the capital side.

The 33-year-old started his pro career at Edinburgh in 2011 and has made 94 appearances across two spells at the club.

He spent two years at Gloucester after joining in 2016 before returning to Edinburgh a first time, and then joined Leicester Tigers in 2020 where he went on to lift the Premiership title in 2022.

The Dunfermline-born back has 40 Scotland caps to his name but has not been called up since the 2021 Autumn tests.

He joins Mosese Tuipulotu, Matt Currie, Mark Bennett and James Lang in the midfield department at the Hive Stadium, with stalwart Chris Dean leaving the club in July.

Scott left Leicester earlier in the summer and was recently announced as Currie Chieftains' specialist skills coach for the 2024/25 season.

Speaking to club media, Scott said: “I feel very excited to be given the opportunity to return to Edinburgh for a third time. It will be great to lace up the boots again with some old friends as well as some new ones.

“I haven’t had the chance to play at Hive Stadium yet but, from watching it on TV, it looks like a brilliant place to play rugby. I hope to offer plenty of value to the squad having been in a Premiership winning team at Leicester, full of World Cup winners and seasoned internationals.

“The city is home for me and, having recently moved back up with my family, the opportunity to play out my final matches as a professional in my hometown is very special and I feel grateful to have been given the opportunity to do so.”

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Scotland centre Cameron Redpath will miss the start of the upcoming rugby season after undergoing surgery on a "long-standing" shoulder injury.

The 24-year-old was instrumental in Bath's run to the Premiership final last season, which they lost to Northampton Saints.

Redpath has suffered plenty of injuries already in his short career and has been plagued by a shoulder problem.

"He is currently not in squad training, instead working with Bath Rugby’s conditioning coaches and is progressing well," said Bath in a statement. "The club will be in a better position in mid-August to know for which game he will return."

It might put the centre, capped 14 times by Scotland, in a doubtful position for the upcoming Autumn tests against Fiji, South Africa, Portugal and Australia.

We asked you Scotland fans for your views on Scotland's 31-19 win over Uruguay in their final game of the summer tour.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Digby: Shocking. Argentina managed to score over 70 points against Uruguay, we let them score three tries. If this was any of the top five sides, they would have put at least 60 points on Uruguay. The SRU need to get rid of Gregor Townsend.

Stuart: The lads overall played some good rugby, nice to see the up-and-coming talent in action and get some international experience. After last weeks humiliation by Argentina, Uruguay were up for this one. An ugly win, but a win. The tour has brought several into the picture - Patrick Harrison, Dylan Richardson, Gus Warr, Arron Reed, and Josh Bayliss to name a few.

Arran: Another shaky start but ultimately when the team got into stride they played really well. They were often pulled down into playing a scrappy game which suited Uruguay more - credit to them, they bounced back really well from last week. Good end to the tour against a tough opponent!

Jim: They say it is a development tour, but the number of first-pick players in the match day squad made a decent team on paper. In truth, Scotland were awful. To have been together for so long, the last three matches tested our defence, and we were not very good. Going forward, they lacked cohesion. Tired players who have had a very long season, and it showed.

Robert: Pretty poor performance. No captain to take on-field decisions. Far too many penalties given away and far too many high tackles. All in all, not the performance wanted. Not a fluid display by any means. Scotland were lucky to get away with it.

Peter: Been an interesting tour - Scotland were close to imploding against Uruguay though. Didn’t seem to be able to change game plan when the one they had didn’t work. Subs made the difference. Adam Hastings has put his name on the 10 shirt behind Finn Russell.

Dave: A very physical game. Scotland were able to reassert themselves in the last quarter to win the match. Harry Paterson, Max Williamson and Gregor Brown showed up well and Patrick Harrison and Jamie Dobie brought a bit of energy in the second half when it was needed. Not sold yet by Ben Healy. He is a great kicker and organiser, but can he get the back line moving?

Hooker Patrick Harrison scored his first Scotland in only his second appearance in a 31-19 win over Uruguay.

Scotland battled to a 12-point victory over Uruguay in Montevideo to make it four wins from four on the summer tour of the Americas.

What did you make of the game? What about the tour as a whole?

Let us know your thoughts here. , external

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Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend was pleased with the "togetherness" his side showed in their win over Uruguay on Saturday.

It was the fourth win from four on Scotland's summer tour of the Americas, but they had to battle hard in Montevideo and Townsend says he was pleased by the way the Scots overcame Uruguay's challenge.

"Look, this has been our biggest test and that’s one of the reasons we came here – to see how this team reacts when they’re under pressure, and they came through, so we’re very proud of them," Townsend said.

"The togetherness was on show there I think straight after that (third Uruguay) try we conceded.

"We had an excellent set in terms of kick-chase and put Uruguay under pressure and then we got our rewards.

"I felt the bench did well too, so it shows it’s a squad effort Test rugby, it always is.

"And while there’s some areas to improve, there’s a lot of pleasing aspects and individual performances throughout the tour and again today."

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Scotland captain Rory Darge spoke after the 12-point win over Uruguay in Montevideo:

"I think it was a great game, Uruguay were a tough side to play against.

"They made it tough for us at the breakdown which made our attack struggle to flow. We're delighted to have ground it out in the end in a fairly ugly fashion.

"It was pretty close at half-time but the bench came on and made a huge difference."

Winger Duhan van der Merwe scores his 28th international try - a new record for Scotland - in a 31-19 win over Uruguay.

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Brian Easson has named a 35-player extended training squad ahead of Scotland's two autumn test matches and upcoming WXV 2 campaign.

The squad includes most regular names, although 33-year-old front-rower Molly Wright misses out, as does young centre Nicole Flynn, who were both part of the Six Nations squad earlier in the year.

Hartpury University flanker Gemma Bell receives her first call-up after impressing for the Under-20s in the recent Summer Series, while uncapped second-row Holland Bogan, scrum-half Leia Brebner-Holden, winger Cieron Bell and fullback Lucia Scott are also named.

Jade Konkel returns from injury after missing the Six Nations, with Jenny Maxwell, Beth Blacklock and Liz Muzgrove also making comebacks.

Harlequins second-row Sarah Bonar is named after picking up a shoulder injury during the Six Nations that ended her campaign.

Youngsters Aila Ronald, Natasha Logan, Merryn Gunderson, Hannah Ramsay and Hannah Walker will also train with the squad to support their development.

The squad will be whittled down to 30 before the Scots take on Wales on 6 September and Fiji on 14 September - the first time Scotland will play Fiji in the women's game.

Scotland will then play Italy (28 September), Japan (5 October) and Australia (12 October) in South Africa as they look to defend their WXV 2 trophy.

In a backroom staff reshuffle, assistant coach Martin Haag has departed and is replaced by former Scotland hooker Fraser Brown on a consultancy basis.

Brown recently coached Watsonians in the Super Series and the Glasgow Warriors’ women's side in the Celtic Challenge, and joins the national set-up as a forwards coach.

Forwards: Leah Bartlett (Leicester Tigers), Lisa Cockburn (unattached), Anne Young (Loughborough Lightning), Elis Martin (Loughborough Lightning), Lana Skeldon (Bristol Bears), Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning), Elliann Clarke (Bristol Bears), Holland Bogan (Glasgow Warriors/Stirling County), Sarah Bonar (Harlequins), Eva Donaldson (Leicester Tigers), Fiona McIntosh, Louise McMillan (both Saracens), Emma Wassell (Loughborough Lightning), Gemma Bell (Hartpury University/Gloucester-Hartpury), Evie Gallagher (Bristol Bears), Jade Konkel (Harlequins), Rachel Malcolm (Loughborough Lightning), Rachel McLachlan (Montpellier), Alex Stewart (Edinburgh/Corstorphine Cougars).

Backs: Leia Brebner-Holden (Gloucester-Hartpury/Cheltenham Tigers), Caity Mattinson (Trailfinders), Jenny Maxwell (unattached), Mairi McDonald (Exeter Chiefs), Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning), Beth Blacklock (Saracens), Emma Orr, Meryl Smith (both Bristol Bears), Lisa Thomson (Trailfinders), Cieron Bell (Edinburgh/University of Edinburgh), Coreen Grant (Saracens), Rhona Lloyd (GB 7s/Stade Bordelais), Francesca McGhie (Leicester Tigers), Liz Muzgrove, Chloe Rollie (both Trailfinders), Lucia Scott (Hartpury University/Gloucester-Hartpury).