Scotland team named for Irish finale

24 Sep 2021

Scotland Women Head Coach Bryan Easson today named his team for the decisive Rugby World Cup 2021 Europe Qualifiers match against Ireland at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (25 September, kick-off 5pm BST / 6pm local time) – live on BBC ALBA.

Easson has opted for a settled side, having made no changes to the starting line-up that claimed a crucial bonus point win against Spain last Sunday.

It’s all to play for this weekend as Scotland, Ireland, Spain and hosts Italy all currently have five points after two matches. Following the conclusion of this weekend’s matches, the top placed team will progress to next year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and the second placed team will enter a final repechage tournament.

Lock Emma Wassell will make her 50th appearance for Scotland on Saturday, having never missed a match since her first appearance against Ireland during the 2014 Six Nations championship.

Sarah Bonar returns to the squad having missed last Sunday’s match due to work commitments, with the lock being named among the replacements.

Easson said: “I think the group that secured the victory against Spain last weekend deserved another start for this game.

“The whole squad have been brilliant throughout this campaign and I think it’s important to reward the players who put on a really impressive performance on Sunday.

“Sarah Bonar, who is a vital part of this squad, also returns to feature on the bench which is a huge boost for us as she brings a great deal of experience to the team.

“Discipline on both sides of the ball has been the focus for us this week. Discipline doesn’t just refer to the penalty count, it means about playing in the right areas, keeping the ball and doing the simple things well.

“We’ve spoken about getting the basics right throughout the tournament and with this being an extremely important test match, we will be looking to make sure we are clinical in executing our game plan.”

An unchanged tight-five sees Lana Skeldon pack down alongside Leah Bartlett and Christine Belisle in the front-row, with Emma Wassell and Louise McMillan named in the second-row.

In the back-row, captain Rachel Malcolm and Rachel McLachlan are named at blindside and openside flanker respectively, while Jade Konkel continues at number 8.

Jenny Maxwell and Helen Nelson will continue to pull the strings through their half-back partnership.

Full-back Chloe Rollie combines with Megan Gaffney and Rhona Lloyd in the back-three, while inside centre Lisa Thomson returns to partner Hannah Smith in midfield.

You can follow all the action live on BBC ALBA and across Rugby World Cup’s social channels and website. Live updates will also be provided on scottishrugby.org.

Scotland Women team to face Ireland on Saturday at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma (kick-off 5pm BST / 6pm local time) – live on BBC ALBA

15. Chloe Rollie (Exeter Chiefs) – 42 caps

14. Rhona Lloyd (Les Lionness Du Stade Bordelais) – 30 caps

13. Hannah Smith (Watsonians) – 28 caps

12. Lisa Thomson (Sale Sharks) – 37 caps

11. Megan Gaffney (Heriot’s) – 36 caps

10. Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning) – 34 caps

9. Jenny Maxwell (Loughborough Lightning) – 34 caps

1. Leah Bartlett (Loughborough Lightning) – 9 caps

2. Lana Skeldon (Worcester Warriors) – 45 caps

3. Christine Belisle (Cartha Queens Park) – 9 caps

4. Emma Wassell (Loughborough Lightning) – 49 caps