McMillan to reach appearance milestone against France

28 Mar 2024

Louise McMillan will earn a 50th international cap this weekend as Scotland return to Hive Stadium to face France, with head coach Bryan Easson making two changes to the starting team.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - MARCH 05: Louise McMillan during a Scotland Rugby Women visual access at the Hive Stadium, on March 05, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)

After coming on for Sarah Bonar in the win against Wales, McMillan will start in the second row alongside Emma Wassell.

Having impressed on debut last weekend, Alex Stewart and Evie Gallagher join captain Rachel Malcolm in an unchanged back row.

Elis Martin makes her first start for Scotland, coming into the front row at hooker, and will pack down with Leah Bartlett (loosehead prop) and Christine Belisle at tighthead.

The backline remains unchanged from last weekend’s history-making clash with Wales, as Caity Mattinson and Helen Nelson retain their half-back partnership, with Lisa Thomson and Emma Orr continuing at centre.

Having both been nominated for Guinness Six Nations Try of the Round for their efforts against Wales, wingers Coreen Grant and Rhona Lloyd will once again line up with Meryl Smith at full-back.

Among the replacements, centre Nicole Flynn and second row Fi McIntosh are in contention to win a first cap for Scotland, as they join front row trio Molly Wright (hooker), Lisa Cockburn, Elliann Clarke (loose and tighthead respectively), lock Eva Donaldson, and backline duo Mairi McDonald and Chloe Rollie to complete the matchday 23.

Tickets for the match are still available from £11.50 for adults, £9 for students and £6.50 for U18s with children U12 FREE (plus booking fee, with a paying adult). Secure your tickets here.

Scotland team to take on France in Round 2 of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations 2024. Tickets can be purchased via scottishrugby.org and the match will be broadcast live on BBC One Scotland and BBC iPlayer – kick-off 2.15pm.

15. Meryl Smith – Bristol Bears (14)
14. Rhona Lloyd – GB Sevens / Stade Bordelais (47)
13. Emma Orr – Heriot’s Blues (15)
12. Lisa Thomson – GB Sevens (56)
11. Coreen Grant – Saracens (8)

10 Helen Nelson – (Vice-captain) – Loughborough Lightning (56)
9. Caity Mattinson – Gloucester-Hartpury (19)

1. Leah Bartlett – Leicester Tigers (31)
2. Elis Martin – Leicester Tigers (6)
3. Christine Belisle – Loughborough Lightning (31)
4. Emma Wassell – Loughborough Lightning (65)
5. Louise McMillan – Saracens (49)
6. Rachel Malcolm (Captain) – Loughborough Lightning (43)
7. Alex Stewart – Corstorphine Cougars (1)
8. Evie Gallagher – Bristol Bears (23)

Replacements

16. Molly Wright – Sale Sharks (19)
17. Lisa Cockburn – Leicester Tigers (28)
18. Elliann Clarke – Bristol Bears (7)
19. Fiona McIntosh – Saracens (uncapped)
20. Eva Donaldson – Leicester Tigers (8)
21. Mairi McDonald – Exeter Chiefs (18)
22. Nicole Flynn – University of Edinburgh (uncapped)
23. Chloe Rollie – Loughborough Lightning (62)

Unavailable through injury: Sarah Bonar (shoulder), Lana Skeldon (knee).

RELATED

1872 Cup (Edinburgh Rugby) Match Report: Edinburgh 3–21 Glasgow Warriors 29 December 2025 1872 Cup (Edinburgh Rugby) 1872 Cup: What’s on Guide 25 December 2025 1872 Cup (Edinburgh Rugby) Take part in the 1872 Cup light show! 25 December 2025 1872 Cup (Edinburgh Rugby) Line-ups confirmed for decisive 1872 Cup clash 24 December 2025 Obituary Obituary: Richard Cramb 23 December 2025 1872 Cup (Edinburgh Rugby) Preview: All roads lead to Scottish Gas Murrayfield for intercity double-header 22 December 2025 1872 Cup (Edinburgh Rugby) 30,000 and counting: Blockbuster finale at Scottish Gas Murrayfield 21 December 2025 1872 Cup (Glasgow Warriors) Match Report: Glasgow Warriors 24 – 12 Edinburgh Rugby 21 December 2025 1872 Cup (Edinburgh Rugby) Scotland stars included in Edinburgh’s 1872 Cup lineup 19 December 2025 Edinburgh Rugby Men Henry Pyrgos joins Edinburgh Rugby’s Academy coaching staff 19 December 2025 1872 Cup (Glasgow Warriors) Warriors call on supporters to bring the Hampden roar 18 December 2025 Match Officials Davidson to referee in 2026 Men’s Guinness Six Nations 17 December 2025 New dining experiences add a fitting tribute to 100 years of Murrayfield 17 December 2025 Appointments Scottish Rugby names Sione Fukofuka as Scotland Women Head Coach 17 December 2025 1872 Cup (Glasgow Warriors) Glasgow Warriors team named for 1872 Cup opener 16 December 2025 Area Development Greenock Wanderers RFC Secures Royal London Funding 16 December 2025 1872 Cup (Glasgow Warriors) Stage set for 1872 Cup opener 16 December 2025 Scotland A Scotland A to face Italy XV in February 16 December 2025 Appointments Meet Alex Ross: Scottish Rugby Head of Athletic Performance & Sports Science 15 December 2025 Edinburgh Rugby Men Castres power past young Edinburgh side 15 December 2025