Four changes to Scotland Women U20 team ahead of Wales clash

during the 2025 Six Nations Women’s Summer Series game between England and Scotland in the Centre of Sporting Excellence, Caerphilly, Wales, Saturday, July 5th, 2025 (Photo by Andrew Dowling / Inpho)

Two of the changes are positional: Nicole Flynn moves from full-back to outside centre and takes on the captaincy, whilst Merryn Gunderson shifts from number eight to blindside flanker.

Poppy Mellanby, who scored one of Scotland’s three tries against England last Saturday, steps in at full-back, and Emily Coubrough earns her first U20 cap, starting at number eight.

The forward pack remains largely unchanged. Poppy Fletcher – who has been named vice-captain – Aicha Sutcliffe and Eilidh Fleming continue in the front row, with Charlotte Russell and Aisha Zameer in the second row. Isobel Twigger retains her place at openside flanker.

In the backs, the half-back pairing of Rianna Darroch and Ceitidh Ainsworth will once again steer the team.

Lucy MacRae starts at inside centre alongside Flynn, while Lisa Brown and Emily Norval continue on the wings.

The bench features a five-three split of forwards and backs. Megan Hyland, Kaylee McHugh and Megan Riach provide front-row cover, with Holly Wilson and Lily Crisp rounding out the forward replacements. Emily Love (scrum-half), Holly McIntyre (centre) and Freya MacColl (utility back) complete the matchday 23.

Speaking ahead of the match, Dalgliesh said: “We’re really happy with the intent and the bravery the team showed against England, we connected both in attack and defence and put some really good blocks together. I’m really pleased to see the girls put into practice what we have been working on.

“We’ve reviewed on some of the bits that didn’t quite go right last weekend, and we have had a good week of training to prepare ourselves on how to adapt to the different threats that Wales pose.

“We enjoyed a hit-out against Wales as part of our preparations before the competition, so we have a degree of familiarity and know what we will need to do to come away with points.”

Scotland team to face Wales in Round 2 of the Six Nations Summer Series, Friday 11 July, kick-off 6pm (livestreaming from scottishrugby.org).

15. Poppy Mellanby (Biggar RFC / Glasgow Warriors) *
14. Emily Norval (Stirling County / Glasgow Warriors) *
13. Nicole Flynn – captain (University of Edinburgh / Glasgow Warriors
12. Lucy MacRae (University of Edinburgh / Edinburgh Rugby) *
11. Lisa Brown (University of Edinburgh / Edinburgh Rugby) *

10. Ceitidh Ainsworth (Stirling County RFC / Glasgow Warriors) *
9. Rianna Darroch (Hillhead Jordanhill / Glasgow Warriors) *

1. Poppy Fletcher – vice-captain (University of Edinburgh / Glasgow Warriors) *
2. Aicha Sutcliffe (Stirling County / Glasgow Warriors)
3. Eilidh Fleming (Stirling County / Glasgow Warriors) *
4. Charlotte Russell (Watsonian FC / Edinburgh Rugby) *
5. Aisha Zameer (Hillhead Jordanhill / Glasgow Warriors)
6. Merryn Gunderson (Corstorphine Cougars / Edinburgh Rugby) *
7. Isobel Twigger (Brunel University / Trailfinders Women)
8. Emily Coubrough (University of Edinburgh/Glasgow Warriors)*

Replacements

16. Megan Hyland (Garioch / Glasgow Warriors) *
17. Kaylee McHugh (Thurrock RFC)
18. Megan Riach (Garioch/Edinburgh Rugby)*
19. Holly Wilson (Biggar RFC) *
20. Lily Crisp (Loughborough University)
21. Emily Love (Corstorphine Cougars/Edinburgh Rugby)*
22. Holly McIntyre (University of Edinburgh / Edinburgh Rugby) *
23. Freya MacColl (Loughborough University / Loughborough Lightning)