News & Features International Scotland Women

Cunningham set for Six Nations debut against Wales

20 Mar 2025

Scotland Women Head Coach Bryan Easson has named his squad for the opening round of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations, as they prepare to take on Wales at Hive Stadium this Saturday (22 March 2025, kick-off 4.45pm).

Hollie Cunningham is set to make her international debut, starting in the second row alongside experienced campaigner Sarah Bonar. The pack also features Anne Young and Elliann Clarke, who both earn a first Six Nations start at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively, with Scotland stalwart Lana Skeldon lining up at hooker.

Captain Rachel Malcolm leads from the blindside, forming a dynamic back-row trio with openside flanker Rachel McLachlan and the powerful Evie Gallagher at number 8.

In the backs, Leia Brebner-Holden will steer the attack from scrum-half, linking up with Helen Nelson at stand-off. The midfield partnership of Lisa Thomson and Emma Orr resumes in the centre, while an exciting back three sees Rhona Lloyd and Francesca McGhie take to the wings, with Chloe Rollie at full-back.

Easson has opted for a 6-2 split on the bench, with Evie Wills in line to make her first international appearance in three years should she be called upon. Caity Mattinson provides cover at scrum-half, while second row Adelle Ferrie could mark her Scotland debut after being named among the replacement forwards alongside Elis Martin, Leah Bartlett, Christine Belisle, Alex Stewart, and Jade Konkel.

Tickets and hospitality for this weekend’s game are still available. 

Scotland Women team (caps in brackets) to face Wales in Round 1 of the 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations on Saturday 22 March (kick-off 4.45pm) – broadcast live across BBC Two and iPlayer from 4.30pm.

15. Chloe Rollie – Trailfinders Women (70)

14. Rhona Lloyd – Les Lionnes du Stade Bordelais (52)
13. Emma Orr – Bristol Bears (24)
12. Lisa Thomson – Trailfinders Women (64)
11. Francesca McGhie – Leicester Tigers (17)

10. Helen Nelson (vice-captain) – Loughborough Lightning (65)
9. Leia Brebner-Holden – Loughborough Lightning (5)

1. Anne Young – Loughborough Lightning (15)
2. Lana Skeldon – Bristol Bears (74)
3. Elliann Clarke – Bristol Bears (15)
4. Hollie Cunningham – Bristol Bears (uncapped)
5. Sarah Bonar – Harlequins (42)
6. Rachel Malcolm (captain) – Unattached (52)
7. Rachel McLachlan – Montpellier (46)
8. Evie Gallagher – Bristol Bears (31)

Replacements

16. Elis Martin – Loughborough Lightning (15)
17. Leah Bartlett – Leicester Tigers (38)
18. Christine Belisle – Loughborough Lightning (40)
19. Adelle Ferrie – Edinburgh Rugby/Corstorphine Cougars (uncapped)
20. Alex Stewart – Edinburgh Rugby/Corstorphine Cougars (8)
21. Jade Konkel – Harlequins (66)
22. Caity Mattinson – Trailfinders Women (27)
23. Evie Wills – Leicester Tigers (3)

RELATED

Scotland Women team for WXV Global Series finale Scotland Women Scotland Women team for WXV Global Series finale Tue 20 Oct 2026 Josie Symonds appointed Head of Athletic Performance for inaugural Women’s British & Irish Lions tour Scotland Women Josie Symonds appointed Head of Athletic Performance for inaugural Women’s British & Irish Lions tour Tue 20 Oct 2026 Match Report: Australia 56-12 Scotland Scotland Women Match Report: Australia 56-12 Scotland Sat 17 Oct 2026 Lana Skeldon ready for Australia rematch Scotland Women Lana Skeldon ready for Australia rematch Thu 15 Oct 2026 Two changes made as Scotland Women take on Australia in Sydney Scotland Women Two changes made as Scotland Women take on Australia in Sydney Wed 14 Oct 2026 Rachel McLachlan: Making every moment count Scotland Women Rachel McLachlan: Making every moment count Mon 12 Oct 2026 How to Watch Australia Women vs Scotland Scotland Women How to Watch Australia Women vs Scotland Mon 12 Oct 2026 Exclusive first look: New Archive Collection revealed Scotland Men Exclusive first look: New Archive Collection revealed Thu 8 Oct 2026 Scotland Women squad to travel to Australia for WXV Global Series double-header confirmed Scotland Women Scotland Women squad to travel to Australia for WXV Global Series double-header confirmed Tue 6 Oct 2026 Scotland’s best tries of the Vodafone WXV Series Scotland Women Scotland’s best tries of the Vodafone WXV Series Tue 6 Oct 2026 House of Hope working with Scottish Rugby for Breast Cancer Awareness Month Scotland Women House of Hope working with Scottish Rugby for Breast Cancer Awareness Month Thu 1 Oct 2026 Match Report: Scotland 10-30 Australia Scotland Women Match Report: Scotland 10-30 Australia Sat 26 Sep 2026 Young female musicians set to make history at the Hive Stadium Scotland Women Young female musicians set to make history at the Hive Stadium Sat 26 Sep 2026 Sarah Bonar raring to be back at Hive Stadium for Vodafone Scotland WXV Series Scotland Women Sarah Bonar raring to be back at Hive Stadium for Vodafone Scotland WXV Series Thu 24 Sep 2026 Scotland Women team to face Australia in final home fixture of Vodafone Scotland WXV Series confirmed Scotland Women Scotland Women team to face Australia in final home fixture of Vodafone Scotland WXV Series confirmed Thu 24 Sep 2026 Scouting the Wallaroos: Australia’s WXV Squad Scotland Women Scouting the Wallaroos: Australia’s WXV Squad Tue 22 Sep 2026 Match Report: Scotland 14-66 New Zealand Scotland Women Match Report: Scotland 14-66 New Zealand Sat 19 Sep 2026 Rollie’s roots standing her in good stead Scotland Women Rollie’s roots standing her in good stead Fri 18 Sep 2026 Ceitidh Ainsworth on her ‘surreal’ debut for Scotland Women Scotland Women Ceitidh Ainsworth on her ‘surreal’ debut for Scotland Women Thu 17 Sep 2026 Changes made as Scotland Women face New Zealand Scotland Women Changes made as Scotland Women face New Zealand Thu 17 Sep 2026