Seven changes for Scotland Women at Hive Stadium

There are first Scotland starts for Holland Bogan and Rachel Philipps, whilst Leah Bartlett, Elis Martin, Louise McMillan, Becky Boyd, and Rhona Lloyd also come in from the start against the French.

In Scotland’s penultimate match of the championship, Sione Fukofuka has brought Bartlett and Martin into the front row, lining up at loosehead prop and hooker, respectively, with Elliann Clarke retaining her position at tighthead.

McMillan comes in for her 60^th Scotland appearance, joining Emma Wassell in an experienced second row.

In the number eight shirt, Boyd makes her first start of the campaign having come off the bench against Italy, with Bogan and Eva Donaldson at blindside and openside flanker, respectively.

Making her first start for Scotland, Rachel Philipps will wear the number 13 shirt at outside centre and will feature alongside Meryl Smith, who starts at inside centre as she has done in the four previous rounds.

Francesca McGhie will take her place on the left wing, with Lloyd returning on the right having missed out against Italy due to concussion protocols. Chloe Rollie assumes her place at full-back once more to make up the back three.

Leia Brebner-Holden and Helen Nelson maintain their half-back partnership for the fourth consecutive game, with the latter captaining the team against France in the absence of Rachel Malcolm.

The replacements are made up of a five-three split of forwards and backs at the Hive.

Uncapped hooker Aicha Sutcliffe is named in her first matchday 23 of the tournament, joining Demi Swann, Molly Poolman, Hollie Cunningham and Emily Coubrough as the forwards available from the bench.

The backs include Lucia Scott, Shona Campbell and Rhea Clarke, who is also named in a matchday squad for the first time in this championship.

Scotland Women team to face France in the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations at Hive Stadium, on Saturday 9 May kick-off 4.15pm – live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer (caps in brackets).

15. Chloe Rollie – Toulon Provence Méditerranée (84)
14. Rhona Lloyd – Sale Sharks (64)
13. Rachel Philipps – Sale Sharks (2)
12. Meryl Smith – Bristol Bears (25)
11. Francesca McGhie – Trailfinders Women (28)

10. Helen Nelson – Captain – Loughborough Lightning (78)
9. Leia Brebner-Holden – Loughborough Lightning (18)

1. Leah Bartlett – Sale Sharks (52)
2. Elis Martin – Loughborough Lightning (29)
3. Elliann Clarke – Bristol Bears (27)
4. Emma Wassell – Vice-captain – Trailfinders Women (76)
5. Louise McMillan – Saracens (59)
6. Holland Bogan – Glasgow Warriors/Stirling County (3)
7. Eva Donaldson – Sale Sharks (24)
8. Becky Boyd – Loughborough Lightning (4)

Replacements

16. Aicha Sutcliffe – Glasgow Warriors/Stirling County (uncapped)
17. Demi Swann – Exeter Chiefs (3)
18. Molly Poolman – Edinburgh Rugby/Watsonian FC (10)
19. Hollie Cunningham – Bristol Bears (5)
20. Emily Coubrough – Glasgow Warriors/University of Edinburgh (2)
21. Rhea Clarke – Bristol Bears (2)
22. Lucia Scott – Loughborough Lightning (10)
23. Shona Campbell – Sale Sharks (12)