Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025: Inside Scotland’s chaotic tournament build-up

In June, a representative of the squad contacted the BBC anonymously to say some players in the World Cup training camp were continuing to “suffer with their mental and emotional health following the potential loss of their contracts”.

When he subsequently spoke to BBC Scotland, Scottish rugby chief executive Alex Williamson acknowledged it was “an uncomfortable situation” that would be resolved before the tournament.

However, Scotland wing Rhona Lloyd told the media at the World Cup squad announcement that the resolution reached has resulted in “more than half” of the 32-player squad being left without contracts after the tournament.

Captain Rachel Malcolm described the situation as “very disruptive”, said that Scottish Rugby “probably haven’t had too much sympathy towards our case”, and felt the players had been put in an “unfair position”.

As the tournament draws closer, Malcolm was keen to draw a line under the dispute and focus on the rugby, but admits the episode has taken a toll on her.

“I’ve been through many a tough time in this role, not just in the last six months,” she told BBC’s Scotland Rugby Podcast.

“I know these girls inside out. I know the things which make them tick and I know what sets them off. I’m just very protective of them.

“That’s been hard for me to deal with. I just want to fight for them and I want the best for them as individuals and people. I think it’s weighed on me, for sure. It’s not just weighed on me, though. It’s the whole group.”