Emma Wassell leaves Scotland squad after chest tumour diagnosis

Scotland’s Emma Wassell has withdrawn from the national team squad for the WXV 2 tournament after being diagnosed with a tumour in her chest.

The Loughborough Lightning lock, who has 67 international caps, was to be part of coach Bryan Easson’s squad for matches against Australia, Italy, Japan, South Africa and Wales over the next month.

Wassell says the sport will now be put “on hold” as she faces an operation and recovery but the 29-year-old aims to be back next year and make a return to the squad.

In an Instagram post, she reveled that she had gone to hospital with what she thought was bread stuck in her throat before being give the diagnosis.

Wassell, who withdrew from the Six Nations squad last year following the death of her mother, Pauline, before returning to international duty in April, said she had been “blessed” with the support of her teammates and those around her.

She wrote: “So a lot can happen in a couple of weeks… the same day I did my last running session of our preseason block, I took myself to A&E with pain that I thought was sourdough stuck in my throat (true story).

“Unfortunately, that evening I was told I had a tumour in my chest. The word rollercoaster doesn’t even come close to the last couple of weeks but I will thank my lucky stars I am feeling better and on the way up.

“Five CT scans, 2 X-rays, 1 MRI, 1 needle biopsy, 1 surgical biopsy, 6kg lost and 13 days in hospital to be released just in time to watch the girls get a big win at home.

“To miss another opportunity to be back playing in blue has been a really tough one to take, especially after my year but that truly is a testament to the team we have built So unfortunately rugby has now been put on hold for a while as I will get surgery to remove the tumour but then I will be doing everything I can to return in 2025, heard it’s a pretty big year

“Finally, I honestly don’t have the words right now to describe the support I’ve had during this time, but I am beyond blessed with the incredible people I have in my life.

“Mum left me in good hands and I will forever be grateful to every single one of you who made sure I never felt alone in any of this.”