Rachel Malcolm returns as Scotland captain for WXV series squad

Scotland have selected a 32-player squad for the upcoming WXV series, with Rachel Malcolm returning as captain. The group includes four players who have not yet won an international cap.

Malcolm missed Scotland’s final three matches of this year’s Six Nations because of injury. Her return places her back in the leadership role as interim head coach Dave Butcher prepares the team for the WXV series.

Anne Young, Evie Gallagher and Sarah Bonar are also included after returning to fitness. Their selection gives Scotland three further options who were unavailable for the latest part of the campaign.

The squad does not include Francesca McGhie, Lisa Thomson or Emily Coubrough. All three are unavailable because of injuries, leaving them out of the group named for the series.

Glasgow Warriors provide three of the uncapped players: Imogen Spence, Ceitidh Ainsworth and Nicole Flynn. Exeter Chiefs wing Katie Buchanan is the fourth newcomer in the squad.

Malcolm’s return is the main change in the leadership of the side after her absence during the Six Nations. Butcher’s selection also brings back three players who have regained fitness while introducing four uncapped players to the wider Scotland group.