New coach set-up for Scots women

Dempsey and McGaughey are the new Scotland management team

Jamie Dempsey is the new head coach of Scotland Women, with Nicola McGaughey taking over as team manager.

Dempsey takes the full-time post having worked as a Scottish Rugby development officer for six years and a performance development manager for three.

McGaughey has managed the under-18s and the Scotland Women's development side.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for the Scotland team to have a dedicated and consistent coaching practice in place," said Dempsey.

After a disappointing Six Nations, Scotland won two of their three games at the European Championships with Dempsey in charge.

The Scots entertain Kazakhstan in November and Dempsey said: "The autumn international will be a big game for us.

"We must ensure we get our season off to a strong start to set us up for the Six Nations and World Cup qualification matches.

"All players in the squad are determined to improve on their performances from last year and with the squad and coaching set-up now in place we have the best opportunity of doing just that."

Scotland Women autumn test squad:

Heather Lockhart (Hillhead/Jordanhill), Sarah-Louise Walker (Watsonians), Beth Dickens (Murrayfield Wanderers), Jilly McCord (RHC), Joy Lyth (Murrayfield Wanderers), Louise Moffat (RHC), Lynne Reid (RHC), Sonia Cull (RHC), Louise Dalgleish (RHC), Erin Kerr (Richmond), Suzi Newton (Blaydon / Team Northumbria), Laura Steven (Murrayfield Wanderers), Cara Di Silva (RHC), Sarah Dixon (RHC), Lucy Millard (Murrayfield Wanderers), Ellen Beattie (Murrayfield Wanderers), Nicky McLeod (Edinburgh University), Ruth Slaven, Keri Holdsworth (Watsonians), Sarah Gill (Murrayfield Wanderers), Nicola Halfpenny (Melrose), Lynsey Douglas (Richmond), Vik Blakebrough (Richmond), Alison McDonald (RHC), Sarah Quick (Murrayfield Wanderers), Lynsey Wheeler (Blaydon/Team Northumbria)