Scotland Women's Rugby Team Faces Contract Uncertainties Ahead of 2025 World Cup

Scotland's women rugby players face contract uncertainties as they prepare for the 2025 World Cup, with many fearing job losses post-tournament.

More than half of Scotland women's rugby squad are at risk of losing their professional contracts after the 2025 Rugby World Cup, according to a representative of the team. This situation has raised concerns about the players' mental and emotional well-being as they prepare for one of the biggest tournaments in rugby.

Contract Concerns

A two-page statement sent to BBC Sport reveals that only 15 out of the 38-player training squad have year-long contracts with Scottish Rugby. The remaining 23 players are on short-term arrangements, which could lead to job searches and significant off-field disruptions by October.

Mental Health Impact

The source highlighted that some players in the Rugby World Cup training camp are struggling with their mental and emotional health due to the potential loss of their contracts. This situation is reportedly not conducive to a positive performance environment within the squad.

Scottish Rugby's Response

Scottish Rugby has extended contracts to October to provide certainty for the players during the World Cup, which runs from 22 August to 27 September. However, it has not yet confirmed which players will be offered contracts beyond October. The governing body plans to finalize this in the coming weeks.

Future of Women's Rugby in Scotland

Scottish Rugby emphasized its commitment to developing the women's game in Scotland, aiming to create a high-performance environment where the best players can represent professional teams locally. This transition may involve different contract options and decisions for players.

Support for Players

The governing body also recognized that uncertainty and change are part of any high-performance career. It is committed to supporting players with access to a full suite of specialist support, whether they are in contract or not.

Pre-Season Training

Scotland's women are currently in pre-season training ahead of the Rugby World Cup in England. Their opening Pool B game against Wales is scheduled for Saturday, 23 August, in Manchester.

Related Topics

  • Scottish Rugby
  • Rugby Union
  • Women's Rugby Association
  • Rugby Players Scotland

What to Read Next

BBC Enhances Premiership Women's Rugby Coverage for 2025-27 Seasons
Rugby

BBC Enhances Premiership Women's Rugby Coverage for 2025-27 Seasons

BBC Sport expands its coverage of Premiership Women's Rugby, streaming matches weekly and broadcasting key games live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

Hannah Dallavalle Thrives in New Role Post-Captaincy: A Fresh Chapter in Welsh Rugby
Rugby

Hannah Dallavalle Thrives in New Role Post-Captaincy: A Fresh Chapter in Welsh Rugby

Hannah Dallavalle shares her journey post-captaincy, focusing on her role in the Wales rugby team and her aspirations for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

Sarah Bern: Overcoming Body Anxiety Through Rugby and Social Media
Rugby

Sarah Bern: Overcoming Body Anxiety Through Rugby and Social Media

England's Sarah Bern shares her journey of overcoming body anxiety and building confidence through rugby and social media.

England's Rugby World Cup 2025 Squad: Hunt and Scarratt Lead the Charge
Rugby

England's Rugby World Cup 2025 Squad: Hunt and Scarratt Lead the Charge

England's Rugby World Cup 2025 squad features veterans Natasha Hunt and Emily Scarratt, aiming for glory on home soil.

Wales Rugby Announces New Co-Captains for Upcoming Test Series and World Cup
Rugby

Wales Rugby Announces New Co-Captains for Upcoming Test Series and World Cup

Wales Rugby has appointed Alex Callender and Kate Williams as co-captains for the upcoming Test series against Australia and the Rugby World Cup.

Wales Rugby Team Intensifies Fitness Regime Ahead of Crucial Matches Under Coach Lynn
Rugby

Wales Rugby Team Intensifies Fitness Regime Ahead of Crucial Matches Under Coach Lynn

Wales' rugby team ramps up fitness training under coach Sean Lynn, aiming for victory in upcoming matches and the Rugby World Cup.

Kate Williams Extends Stay with Gloucester-Hartpury: A New Chapter in Women's Rugby
Rugby

Kate Williams Extends Stay with Gloucester-Hartpury: A New Chapter in Women's Rugby

Wales co-captain Kate Williams renews her contract with Gloucester-Hartpury, continuing her remarkable journey in Women's Rugby.

Glasgow Warriors Face Uphill Battle with Reduced Foreign Talent - Franco Smith
Rugby

Glasgow Warriors Face Uphill Battle with Reduced Foreign Talent - Franco Smith

Glasgow Warriors' head coach Franco Smith discusses the challenges of losing foreign players and the impact on the team's performance in the United Rugby Championship.

Saracens Strengthen Squad with Omokhuale & Royer as Corrigan Extends Stay
Rugby

Saracens Strengthen Squad with Omokhuale & Royer as Corrigan Extends Stay

Saracens bolster their roster with the signings of Julia Omokhuale and Laetitia Royer, while Alysha Corrigan commits to a new deal.

Welsh Rugby Union Delays Overhaul of Top Women's Teams Amidst Men's Game Transformation
Rugby

Welsh Rugby Union Delays Overhaul of Top Women's Teams Amidst Men's Game Transformation

The Welsh Rugby Union postpones the revamp of leading women's teams due to ongoing changes in the men's game, ensuring stability for the 2025 Rugby World Cup.

The Transformative Summer: How Major Sporting Events Are Redefining Women's Sports
Rugby

The Transformative Summer: How Major Sporting Events Are Redefining Women's Sports

This summer's major sporting events are set to redefine women's sports, breaking barriers and inspiring a new generation of female athletes worldwide.

Unlocking Victory: How the Wallabies Can Triumph Over the Lions - Insights from James Horwill
Rugby

Unlocking Victory: How the Wallabies Can Triumph Over the Lions - Insights from James Horwill

James Horwill shares strategic insights on how the Wallabies can overcome the Lions, highlighting key players and tactics for success.

Wales Rugby's Grueling Pre-Season: Sand Dunes, Sumo, and World Cup Dreams
Rugby

Wales Rugby's Grueling Pre-Season: Sand Dunes, Sumo, and World Cup Dreams

Discover how Wales Rugby's intense pre-season training, featuring sand dunes and sumo wrestling, prepares the team for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

The Legacy of 'Madiba Magic': How Nelson Mandela's Vision Propelled the Springboks to Rugby World Cup Glory
Rugby

The Legacy of 'Madiba Magic': How Nelson Mandela's Vision Propelled the Springboks to Rugby World Cup Glory

Explore how Nelson Mandela's 'Madiba Magic' united South Africa and inspired the Springboks to historic Rugby World Cup victories, setting the stage for future triumphs.

Sarah Bonar Extends Her Legacy with Harlequins: A New Chapter in Rugby Union
Rugby

Sarah Bonar Extends Her Legacy with Harlequins: A New Chapter in Rugby Union

Scotland's Sarah Bonar renews her commitment to Harlequins, highlighting her impactful career and future ambitions in Rugby Union.

Load More

We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy.