Scotland Women team to take on Canada in Vodafone Scotland WXV Series opener confirmed

The maiden match of the Vodafone Scotland WXV Series will be broadcast live on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer, as will Scotland’s following two home games against New Zealand and Australia.

Against Canada, Rhea Clarke is set to make her first start for Scotland lining up at scrum-half, whilst amongst the forwards Evie Gallagher returns to XV for the first time in a year.

Gallagher makes her first appearance for Scotland since the 2025 Rugby World Cup quarter-final against England, as she lines up on the openside flank. She will partner captain Rachel Malcolm, who leads the team once more at blindside flanker, with Becky Boyd taking the number eight shirt.

In the second row, Hollie Cunningham will start alongside Emma Wassell.

The forward pack is made up Leah Bartlett at loosehead prop, and she is joined in the front row with Lana Skeldon at hooker and Elliann Clarke at tighthead.

Amongst the backs, Clarke’s first start for Scotland Women comes on her fifth appearance, the scrum-half linking up with vice-captain Helen Nelson, who features outside her at stand-off.

Meryl Smith will line-up at inside centre, with Rachel Philipps taking the number 13 shirt and starting at outside centre.

On the wings, Shona Campbell will feature down the left with Rhona Lloyd selected on the right. Chloe Rollie takes her place at full-back to make up the back three.

The replacements are made up a five-three split, with forwards and backs, respectively.

The forwards on the bench are Aicha Sutcliffe, Molly Poolman, Eva Donaldson, Anne Young and Adelle Ferrie, who has joined up with the squad to replace Alex Stewart who has been ruled out of the home fixtures due to injury.

Ceitidh Ainsworth, Katie Buchanan and Hannah Ramsay have been selected as cover amongst the backs, with the former two in line to make their Scotland Women debuts.

Scotland Women team to face Canada on Saturday 12 September, kick-off 4.10pm – live on BBA ALBA and BBC iPlayer (caps in brackets):

15. Chloe Rollie – Edinburgh Rugby (86)
14. Rhona Lloyd – Sale Sharks (66)
13. Rachel Philipps – Edinburgh Rugby (4)
12. Meryl Smith – Bristol Bears (27)
11. Shona Campbell – Sale Sharks (14)

10. Helen Nelson – Vice-captain – Trailfinders Women (80)
9. Rhea Clarke – Glasgow Warriors (4)

1. Leah Bartlett – Sale Sharks (54)
2. Lana Skeldon – Bristol Bears (87)
3. Elliann Clarke – Glasgow Warriors (29)
4. Emma Wassell – Trailfinders Women (78)
5. Hollie Cunningham – Bristol Bears (7)
6. Rachel Malcolm – Captain – Trailfinders Women (64)
7. Evie Gallagher – Bristol Bears (40)
8. Becky Boyd – Glasgow Warriors (6)

Replacements

16. Aicha Sutcliffe – Glasgow Warriors (2)
17. Anne Young – Glasgow Warriors (22)
18. Molly Poolman – Edinburgh Rugby (12)
19. Eva Donaldson – Sale Sharks (26)
20. Adelle Ferrie – Edinburgh Rugby (7)
21. Ceitidh Ainsworth – Glasgow Warriors (uncapped)
22. Hannah Ramsay – Edinburgh Rugby (2)
23. Katie Buchanan – Exeter Chiefs (uncapped)