Ramsay in for first start as Scotland complete Rugby World Cup preparations

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - APRIL 12: Scotland's Hannah Ramsay during a Scotland Women's Rugby team run at The Oriam, on April 12, 2025, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)

The stand-off, who debuted in last week’s warm-up Test against Italy, will form a fresh half-back partnership with scrum-half Caity Mattinson in two of six changes, on top of two positional moves, to the starting line-up that played in Viadana.

Chloe Rollie comes in at full-back, with Emma Orr selected at outside centre to link up with Lisa Thomson in a familiar midfield.

Eleswhere in the back division, Lucia Scott moves from full-back to wing, joining fellow flyer Rhona Lloyd out wide.

In the pack, Anne Young and Alex Stewart are selected at loosehead prop and openside flanker respectively, the former packing down with hooker Lana Skeldon and tighthead Elliann Clarke in the front row.

Stewart’s selection means Rachel McLachlan switches to the blindside flank, with Evie Gallagher, a double try-scorer against Italy, anchoring things at number 8 once more.

In another positional switch, captain Rachel Malcolm moves into the second row to link up with Emma Wassell, who made her international return last week.

On the bench, Beth Blacklock is poised for a first Test cap since the 2023 Six Nations and is joined by fellow back replacements scrum-half Leia Brebner-Holden and winger Coreen Grant.

Elis Martin, also a try scorer last time out, Leah Bartlett and Molly Poolman are front-row substitutes, with the matchday 23 rounded off by versatile loose forwards Adelle Ferrie and Eva Donaldson.

The fixture against Ireland represents the last Test before the Rugby World Cup gets underway later in the month, with Scotland’s opening Pool B fixture coming against Wales in Salford on Saturday 23 August.

Scotland Women team (caps in brackets) to face Ireland on Saturday 2 August at Virgin Media Park in Cork (kick-off 2pm BST). UK viewers can watch live via BBC iPlayer. International broadcast is available on RugbyPass TV. 

15. Chloe Rollie – Toulon Provence Mediterranee (76)
14. Rhona Lloyd – Sale Sharks (58)
13. Emma Orr – Bristol Bears (29)
12. Lisa Thomson – Trailfinders Women (70)
11. Lucia Scott – Loughborough Lightning (6)

10. Hannah Ramsay – Edinburgh Rugby/University of Edinburgh (1)
9. Caity Mattinson – Trailfinders Women (32)

1. Anne Young – Loughborough Lightning (20)
2. Lana Skeldon – Bristol Bears (80)
3. Elliann Clarke – Bristol Bears (21)
4. Emma Wassell – Trailfinders Women (68)
5. Rachel Malcolm – Captain – Trailfinders Women (57)
6. Rachel McLachlan – Montpellier (52)
7. Alex Stewart – Edinburgh Rugby/Corstorphine Cougars (12)
8. Evie Gallagher – Bristol Bears (36)

Replacements

16. Elis Martin – Loughborough Lightning (21)
17. Leah Bartlett – Sale Sharks (44)
18. Molly Poolman (Edinburgh Rugby/Watsonian FC) (4)
19. Adelle Ferrie – Edinburgh Rugby/Corstorphine Cougars (4)
20. Eva Donaldson – Sale Sharks (15)
21. Leia Brebner-Holden – Loughborough Lightning (10)
22. Beth Blacklock – Saracens (3)
23. Coreen Grant – Saracens (16)