MEGAN Gaffney and Liz Musgrove have been selected for the Scotland squad for next month’s Rugby World Cup.

The 32-woman squad was announced last week, with the tournament marking the first ever Rugby World Cup experience for the entire squad.

Scotland last reached the global tournament 12 years ago, when they finished eighth after facing Canada, France, Sweden and Ireland.

Bryan Easson, Scotland Women head coach, was counting down to the competition in New Zealand.

The team flies out tomorrow (Friday) and Easson said: “We are all incredibly excited for the month ahead.

“I think it’s been a long time coming and it was exactly this time last year that we were in Italy trying to qualify for the Rugby World Cup, so it’s been a year in the making.

READ MORE: Megan Gaffney ready for Scotland Rugby World Cup bid

“I’m hugely honoured to be naming our squad for the Rugby World Cup and I’d like to express my gratitude to everyone in the management team who has worked incredibly hard behind the scenes to get us to this point.

“A lot of discussions have been had, a lot of players have been played over the past year as well, so the process around that was to make sure we had the right players going.

“Selection has been tough as the players trained exceptionally hard over the summer, and then obviously getting the players back from the Commonwealth Games has been exciting for us as well.

“Everyone should feel incredibly proud of being selected for the tournament and I know the squad and management are ready for the challenge ahead.”

Gaffney and Musgrove, both of North Berwick, were two of the 16 backs selected for the squad.

READ MORE: Liz Musgrove looking to make Scotland return after absence

Scotland finished second in a qualifying group with Italy, Ireland and Spain.

An opening-day defeat to Italy, who topped the group, meant Scotland had to pick up wins in the other matches.

A 27-22 win over Spain, followed before a nerve-jangling 20-18 victory over Ireland, sent them through to a play-off fixture with Colombia.

Scotland proved too strong in Dubai as they ran out 59-3 winners to secure the last spot at the global tournament.

Scotland’s tournament gets under way on October 9 when they face Wales at Northland Event Centre in a 5.45am kick-off UK time.

The side will then go on to face Australia on October 15 in a 3am kick-off UK time before finishing the group phase against reigning champions and hosts New Zealand on October 22.

The final game kicks off at 4.45am UK time and all of Scotland’s pool fixtures will be on ITV main channel and available on STV Player.