Two ex-Howe of Fife players selected for Scotland U20 squad to contest first-ever Six Nations Women’s Summer Series

The pair, both given call-ups by Edinburgh last season, are among 17 forwards in the 30-strong squad named by head coach Claire Cruikshank on Tuesday.

They’ll fly out to Parma in Italy next week ahead of their first match against the tournament’s hosts on Thursday, July 4, with kick-off at 8pm.

Watsonians tighthead prop Poolman and Stirling County back-rower Taganekurukuru are among 23 members of the squad supported by Scottish Rugby’s three regional training centres.

Poolman started playing rugby at Howe in 2015 and was given her first international age-grade call-up in 2020 for Scotland’s under-18s.

Taganekurukuru began her rugby career at the Cupar club at the age of 15 and she’s also represented Scotland’s under-18s.

Loosehead prop Poppy Fletcher and back-three player Hannah Walker, both in Edinburgh University’s squad, have been named as tour co-captains.

Announcing her squad selection, Cruikshank said: “The selected squad is an exciting mix of talent.

“There are players who have come through the pathway, age-grade at U18 level and who have been involved with the Scotland Futures last year, plus players from the Scottish-qualified programme.

“The vast majority of players have come through from the Celtic Challenge, playing for Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors, and that gives us a level of readiness for what’s to come in Parma.

“This competition is a great chance to test ourselves against international opposition at this age and stage of players’ development in this new summer series, which is a really exciting prospect.

“We played against Italy and Ireland as the Scotland Futures in Rome last year, so we have an idea of what to expect from them. They’re going to bring different challenges.

“The beauty of this competition is we will have to adapt very quickly. There’s not much turn-around between games, but that’s another good experience for us.

“We’re super-excited to expose ourselves to that level of rugby at age-grade international level.”

Poolman, Taganekurukuru and Fletcher’s fellow forwards are Aila Ronald, Chloe Brown, Ellie Williamson, Eilidh Fleming, Gemma Bell, Holland Bogan, Karis Craig, Lauryn Walter, Lucy Christie, Merryn Gunderson, Megan Hyland, Natasha Logan, Poppy Clarkson and Talei Tawake.

The 12 other backs off to Italy are Ami Conchie, Ceitidh Ainsworth, Hannah Ramsay, Isobel McGuire-Evans, Leia Brebner-Holden, Lucia Scott, Lucy MacRae, Nicole Marlow, Nicole Flynn, Rebekah Douglas, Rhea Clarke and Sky Phimister.

After taking on the Italians, the young Scots play France on Tuesday, July 9, with kick-off at 5.30pm, and Ireland on Sunday, July 14, at 9am.

All three of those matches can be seen via https://scottishrugby.org/

Howe were among the first to applaud their ex-players’ selection, posting on Facebook: “Congratulations to Molly and Sam on being selected for the Women’s U20 Six Nations Summer Series squad.

“Everyone at Howe of Fife is so proud of you both.”