Scotland Women will begin the inaugural Vodafone Scotland WXV Global Series with an interim head coach, two assistants on loan from English clubs, four uncapped players in a 32-strong training squad, and one fewer senior forward than they had a fortnight ago.
Head coach Sione Fukofuka, appointed late in 2025 and in charge for the 2026 Guinness Women's Six Nations, is returning to Australia. Scottish Rugby confirmed his departure on 3 August. Fukofuka was unusually direct about why.
"I've had to make probably the hardest professional decision of my life to step away from the role as Head Coach," he said. "I approached Scottish Rugby and asked for a release from my contract under compassionate grounds. Effectively, the stress and the strain on my family, who are back in Australia away from me, proved too much to continue to go on and to do this role the way it should be time."
He explained that a planned relocation had fallen through: "We also had a change in circumstances where, unfortunately, my wife's parents are unwell, so that means the family relocating in the 12-month plan that we had is not feasible anymore. I can't be away from my family for that amount of time and do the job the way it should be done."
Fukofuka was careful to separate the decision from the programme. "It has nothing to do with Scottish Rugby or the programme - in fact that is what made it so hard," he said, adding that timing mattered: "There are six weeks before the first Test match, so there's an opportunity for the incoming coaching group to have time to prepare."
Senior assistant Ioan Cunningham has also left. Forwards coach Dave Butcher, in post since February, steps up as interim head coach for the WXV campaign. Chris Laidlaw joins on secondment from Harlequins - initially for August, then permanently later - and Bristol Bears assistant Tom Luke arrives on secondment for the series only.
Laidlaw is returning to a programme he knows well, having been the first head coach of Glasgow Warriors' women's team in the Celtic Challenge and an assistant with the national side during the 2023 Six Nations.
"I am hugely passionate about this team and can see massive potential across the playing group and pathway," Laidlaw said. "I can't wait to get started as we approach an exciting run of games against some of the world's best and meet the challenges head on over the coming months."
Luke was equally clear-eyed about the timeline. "Coaching international rugby is a real privilege, and I'm excited to work with such a talented group of players," he said. "I've been lucky enough to coach a few of the current squad at club level and if they're a reflection of the wider group, I can't wait to meet everyone and get started."
Andy Rhys-Jones, Scottish Rugby's Head of Women's Performance and Pathways, said Laidlaw's two seasons in Premiership Women's Rugby with Harlequins were part of the appeal alongside his previous Scottish Rugby roles.
The squad itself is stronger than the coaching churn suggests. Captain Rachel Malcolm returns after missing the last three Six Nations matches through injury, and Anne Young, Evie Gallagher and Sarah Bonar are all back in the pack having sat out the whole championship. Three uncapped Glasgow Warriors players come in - tight-head prop Imogen Spence, plus backs Ceitidh Ainsworth and Nicole Flynn - along with Exeter Chiefs winger Katie Buchanan, qualified through her grandmother. Francesca McGhie, Lisa Thomson and Emily Coubrough were unavailable through injury.
The other absence is permanent. Louise McMillan, capped 61 times over a decade, confirmed her retirement from international rugby on 4 August at 29. She debuted against Spain at Scotstoun in November 2016 as Scotland's cap number 196, was dropped ahead of the 2025 World Cup by then-head coach Bryan Easson, and forced her way back through form at Saracens to win three final caps in the 2026 Six Nations - off the bench against Italy, then starts against France and Ireland.
"I have given this shirt everything I have over the last decade," McMillan said. "Juggling a full-time job alongside elite rugby was a massive challenge, but coming back into the programme for the Six Nations was so rewarding. I am so glad I got the opportunity to prove myself to my coaches, teammates, and supporters, and to finish this journey on my own terms."
She was pointed about where she leaves the team. "I've seen firsthand how far this programme has come on and I'm so excited to see what the team achieves with continued backing. These girls deserve all the love and support in the world."
McMillan will keep playing for Saracens in PWR through 2026-27. Scotland, meanwhile, get six weeks to turn three coaching changes into a functioning staff.
