Retired Scotland scrum-half Caity Mattinson returns to Scottish Rugby as pathways skills coach

Caity Mattinson has returned to Scottish Rugby as a pathways skills coach, the union announced, taking up a full-time development role backed by sportscotland funding. The 37-cap international retired following the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and will now lead the delivery of a specialist skills programme while supporting player identification and profiling across Scottish Rugby’s National Talent Pathway and National Academy Programme.

Mattinson represented Scotland at two Women’s Rugby World Cups and two WXV 2 tournaments during her playing career, and also featured for the country in rugby sevens at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Since retiring, she has coached in Coventry Rugby’s academy, served as schools rugby manager at Banbury RFC, and worked with Scotland Under-21 during the Six Nations Women’s U21 Series and on the team’s subsequent trip to Italy.

“I’m delighted to be coming back to Scotland,” Mattinson said. “I coached across a big range of environments throughout my playing career and, since retiring, have thrown myself into every opportunity that’s come my way. One of those opportunities was to be involved with Scotland U21s across the Six Nations period. I loved the chance to help shape the next generation and finished the campaign desperate for more time coaching that group.”

She described the full-time appointment as an exciting next step. “Being offered a full-time role in the pathway is an incredibly exciting next step in my coaching journey. I hope it allows me to positively impact the players coming through while continuing to learn and develop my career.”

Andy Rhys Jones, Scottish Rugby’s head of women’s performance and pathways, said Mattinson’s blend of playing experience and post-retirement coaching work made her an ideal fit. “Having represented Scotland during her playing career and continued to develop her coaching experience since retiring, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will be invaluable in supporting the next generation of players,” he said. “Caity is a well-respected and talented coach who we know will contribute massively to the development of our players across the pathway.”