Cruikshank highlights Six Nations experience in under-20s group

Scotland Women Under-20s head coach Claire Cruikshank believes the Six Nations experience in her young squad has helped drive standards to a new level.

Natasha Logan, Merryn Gunderson, Leia Brebner-Holden and Nicole Flynn were all part of Bryan Easson's squad earlier in the year, and now head to Parma with the under-20s for the Six Nations Summer Series.

"They've brought their experience from the Six Nations into the under-20s squad," Cruikshank said. "It's been great to see. They've used that experience, stepping up as leaders, driving our standards and our culture in the programme.

She also took the time to highlight their individual skills: "Tash [Logan] is a second row, abrasive ball carrier, becoming a real line out leader, working on that area of her game.

"Merryn is a back-row, and another abrasive ball carrier in attack and defence, which we saw in the Celtic Challenge.

"Leia is a scrum-half, plays her rugby down at Gloucester-Hartpury. A real good pass and has some good footwork, an eye for a gap.

"Nicole Flynn plays mainly in the centres, strong ball carrier, a lot of pace. She's only 18 years-old so one for the future."

Despite their experience, it is youngsters Poppy Fletcher and Hannah Walker who have been named co-captains for the tour. Both were part of Cruikshank's Edinburgh squad in the Celtic Challenge Cup.

"Both have really grown into their roles in the last few months," the head coach explained. "They're players that have come through the pathway and played in the under-18 Six Nations festival.

"Both have really grown over the course of our campaign so far. They're well liked in the group, but behind them we have our unit leaders so they're well backed up. It's a group effort."