U21 team named for France test

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - APRIL 18: Match Action during a 2026 Six Nations Women's Under 21s match between Scotland and England at the Hive Stadium, on April 18, 2026, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group)

There are eight changes in total from the opening defeat to England comprised of four in the forwards and four in the backs, including all new back row and centre combinations.

Megan Hyland continues as captain, and is joined in the front row by the returning Poppy Fletcher at loosehead prop and Imogen Spence, who comes in at tighthead prop.

Charlotte Russell is again joined by Gemma Thomson to make up the second row partnership.

Lucy Finch starts at blindside flanker with Gemma Bell on the openside, and number 8 Merryn Gunderson completes the starting pack.

In the backs, Emily Love is at scrum-half, paired with stand-off Poppy Mellanby in an unchanged half-back partnership.

Inside centre Millie Warren will work with outside centre Lisa Brown in the midfield. Scarlett Haddow remains on the left wing, with Emily Norval on the right, and the team is completed by Hannah Smyth at full-back.

Aicha Sutcliffe, Talei Tawake and Faye Sutherland are the front row replacements on the bench as Scarlet Down and Catriona Moody are also primed to come on in the forwards.

Replacement backs Ceitidh Ainsworth, Lucy MacRae and Nicole Flynn complete the 23.

Scotland U21 team to play France U21 in the Women’s Six Nations U21 Series at Stade Maurice Trelut, Tarbes on Saturday (kick off 2pm BST/3pm local) – live on YouTube

15. Hannah Smyth (Glasgow Warriors/Hartpury University)
14. Emily Norval – Glasgow Warriors/Stirling County
13. Lisa Brown (Edinburgh Rugby/University of Edinburgh)
12. Millie Warren – Glasgow Warriors/Hillhead Jordanhill
11. Scarlett Haddow (Edinburgh Rugby/Stirling County)

10. Poppy Mellanby (Glasgow Warriors/University of Edinburgh)
9. Emily Love (Edinburgh Rugby/Watsonian FC)

1. Poppy Fletcher (Glasgow Warriors/University of Edinburgh)
2. Megan Hyland – Captain (Glasgow Warriors/Heriots Rugby Club)
3. Imogen Spence (Glasgow Warriors/University of Edinburgh)
4. Charlotte Russell (Edinburgh Rugby/Watsonian FC)
5. Gemma Thomson (Glasgow Warriors/Stirling County)
6. Lucy Finch (Loughborough Lightning/Loughborough University)
7. Gemma Bell (Glasgow Warriors/Hartpury University)
8. Merryn Gunderson (Edinburgh Rugby)

Replacements

16. Aicha Sutcliffe (Glasgow Warriors/Stirling County)
17. Talei Tawake (Edinburgh Rugby/Watsonian FC)
18. Faye Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby/Heriots Rugby Club)
19. Scarlet Down (Brunel University/Trailfinders Women)
20. Catriona Moody (Edinburgh Rugby/University of Edinburgh0
21. Ceitidh Ainsworth (Glasgow Warriors/Stirling County)
22. Lucy MacRae (Edinburgh Rugby/University of Edinburgh)
23. Nicole Flynn (Glasgow Warriors/University of Edinburgh)