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Edinburgh Reporter
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Three changes to Scotland's starting XV for Ireland game
Scotland Women Head Coach Bryan Easson has made three personnel changes to the starting team set to face Ireland this Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm, Hive Stadium), with Leia Brebner-Holden and Rachel Malcolm returning to the fore after missing last weekend's match against England through concussion. In the front row, Leah Bartlett steps up to starting loosehead, joining Lana Skeldon (hooker) and Elliann Clarke (tighthead). A positional reshuffle sees Jade Konkel move into the second row, partnering the ever-reliable Sarah Bonar, while Malcolm resumes her role on the blindside flank. Rachel McLachlan retains her place at openside, with Evie Gallagher shifting back to number eight to round out a strong and balanced back row. The backline remains unchanged with the exception of the return of Brebner-Holden at scrum-half. Helen Nelson continues to marshal the game at stand-off, with Lisa Thomson and Emma Orr once again linking up in the midfield. The back three is unchanged, featuring Rhona Lloyd and Francesca McGhie on the wings and Chloe Rollie at full-back. On the bench, Easson has opted for a five-three split, with last weekend's debutants Rhea Clarke and Gemma Bell in line for their second caps should they be called upon. Elis Martin, Anne Young, Molly Poolman, and Becky Boyd are amongst Bell for the additional forward firepower, while the versatile duo of Lucia Scott and Evie Wills complete the replacement options in the backs alongside Rhea Clarke. Scotland Women team (caps in brackets) to face Ireland in Round Five of the 2025 Guinness Women's Six Nations on Saturday 26 April (kick-off 2.30pm) – broadcast live across BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app. 15. Chloe Rollie – Trailfinders Women (74) 14. Rhona Lloyd – Les Lionnes du Stade Bordelais (56) 13. Emma Orr – Bristol Bears (28) 12. Lisa Thomson – Trailfinders Women (68) 11. Francesca McGhie – Leicester Tigers (21) 10. Helen Nelson (vice-captain) – Loughborough Lightning (69) 9. Leia Brebner-Holden – Loughborough Lightning (8) 1. Leah Bartlett – Leicester Tigers (42) 2. Lana Skeldon – Bristol Bears (78) 3. Elliann Clarke – Bristol Bears (19) 4. Jade Konkel – Harlequins (70) 5. Sarah Bonar – Harlequins (46) 6. Rachel Malcolm (captain) – Unattached (55) 7. Rachel McLachlan – Montpellier (50) 8. Evie Gallagher – Bristol Bears (34) Replacements 16. Elis Martin – Loughborough Lightning (19) 17. Anne Young – Loughborough Lightning (19) 18. Molly Poolman –Edinburgh Rugby/Watsonian FC (3) 19. Becky Boyd – Loughborough Lightning (3) 20. Gemma Bell – Glouster Hartpury/Hartpury University (1) 21. Rhea Clarke – Edinburgh Rugby/University of Edinburgh (1) 22. Evie Wills -Leicester Tigers (4) 23. Lucia Scott – Gloucester-Hartpury/Hartpury University (4) Like this: Like Related
BBC News
24-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Scotland aim to 'finish on high' against Ireland
Guinness Women's Six Nations: Scotland v IrelandVenue: Hive Stadium, Edinburgh Date: Saturday, 26 April Kick-off: 14:30 BSTCoverage: Watch live on BBC Scotland, iPlayer & online, follow live text and watch video highlights on BBC Sport website & app Captain Rachel Malcolm and scrum-half Leia Brebner-Holden return to the Scotland team for the final Six Nations outing of the year at home to pair missed last weekend's heavy defeat to England after suffering concussions in the previous loss to Bartlett comes in at loosehead, replacing Anne Young, who drops to the bench along with Becky Boyd, while there is no place for Caity Mattinson as Rhea Clarke continues to offer cover at number accommodate the Malcolm taking her usual place in the back row, Jade Konkel moves into the second row, her third different starting position of the are on 10 points and need one more in Edinburgh to be sure of third place following wins over Italy and sit six points behind the visitors, having lost three in a row since beating the Welsh on the opening weekend."This weekend is about finishing on a high," said head coach Bryan Easson. "It's about everything coming together post some really good performances and some really difficult stages in games."We've learned a lot about ourselves and now have an opportunity to put together those learnings on the pitch."Scotland finished one point behind the Irish in 2024, losing 15-12 in Belfast."Ireland are a very physical side and we have to fight fire with fire," added Easson. "I see it being tight. Last year was a difficult one for us to take."We believe we can put Ireland under pressure if we get our processes right."Scotland open their World Cup campaign against Wales in late August and will also meet Fiji and Canada, with matches taking place in Manchester and Exeter."We don't have long before we come back in for World Cup preparation," added Easson."I think we're on track. We've capped seven players in this Six Nations, we're working hard on growing the base around the squad." Line-up Scotland: Chloe Rollie, Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie, Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke – Bristol Bears, Jade Konkel, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (captain), Rachel McLachlan, Evie Elis Martin, Anne Young, Molly Poolman, Becky Boyd, Gemma Bell, Rhea Clarke, Evie Wills, Lucia Scott.
