Five changes as Scotland Women travel to Italy

A first start has been handed to prop Demi Swann, who has made back-to-back appearances from the bench against Wales and England, with Eva Donaldson and Rachel McLachlan also additions amongst the forwards, and Lucia Scott and Francesca McGhie in from the start as part of the back division.

Rhona Lloyd and youngster Emily Coubrough will miss out on the visit to Parma as they work through concussion protocols, while Evie Wills is absent due to an arm injury.

Swann will feature at loosehead prop and is joined in the front row with Lana Skeldon at hooker and Elliann Clarke at tighthead.

For the third consecutive game, Hollie Cunningham and Emma Wasell continue their partnership in the second row. Captain Rachel Malcolm will lead in the number 8 shirt, with Donaldson and McLachlan, both making their first starts of the campaign, at blindside and openside flanker, respectively.

Also making her first start in this Women’s Six Nations will be Lucia Scott, who lines up at outside centre alongside Meryl Smith on the inside.

Like Scott, McGhie is named in the XV for the first time under Fukofuka and will feature on the right wing, with Shona Campell retaining her place on the left wing, and Chloe Rollie at full-back to make up the back three.

Leia Brebner-Holden and Helen Nelson reprise their half-back partnership.

Scotland have opted for a six-two split of forwards and backs amongst the replacements for Italy.

The forwards available from the bench are hooker Elis Martin, props Leah Bartlett and Molly Poolman, and Holland Bogan, Louise McMillan and Alex Stewart, who will cover the loose five berths.

Fresh from making her debut at Scottish Gas Murrayfield last weekend, scrum-half Rianna Darroch takes her place on the bench alongside fellow back Rachel Phillips, who is named in her first matchday squad in this year’s Women’s Six nations.

Scotland Women team to face Italy in the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, on Saturday 25 April kick-off 4.30pm BST – live on BBC iPlayer (caps in brackets):

15. Chloe Rollie – Toulon Provence Méditerranée (83)
14. Francesca McGhie – Trailfinders Women (27)
13. Lucia Scott – Loughborough Lightning (9)
12. Meryl Smith – Bristol Bears (24)
11. Shona Campbell – Sale Sharks (11)

10. Helen Nelson – Vice-Captain – Loughborough Lightning (77)
9. Leia Brebner-Holden – Loughborough Lightning (17)

1.Demi Swann – Exeter Chiefs (2)
2. Lana Skeldon – Bristol Bears (86)
3. Elliann Clarke – Bristol Bears (26)
4. Emma Wassell – Trailfinders Women (74)
5. Hollie Cunningham – Bristol Bears (4)
6. Eva Donaldson – Sale Sharks (22)
7. Rachel McLachlan – Montpellier (57)
8. Rachel Malcolm – Captain – Trailfinders Women (63)

Replacements

16. Elis Martin – Loughborough Lightning (28)
17. Leah Bartlett – Sale Sharks (51)
18. Molly Poolman – Edinburgh Rugby/Watsonian FC (9)
19. Holland Bogan – Glasgow Warriors/Stirling County (2)
20. Louise McMillan – Saracens (58)
21. Alex Stewart – Edinburgh Rugby/University of Edinburgh (19)
22. Rianna Darroch – Glasgow Warriors/Hillhead Jordanhill (1)
23. Rachel Phillips – Sale Sharks (1)