Scotland Women’s Head Coach Bryan Easson has shown confidence in the team that made history last weekend as they return home to the Hive Stadium to face France with just two adjustments to the starting XV.
After coming on for Sarah Bonar in the win against Wales, McMillan will start in the second row alongside Emma Wassell. Also enforced by injury to starting hooker Lana Skeldon, Elis Martin makes her first start for Scotland. She will pack down with Leah Bartlett and Christine Belisle in the front row.
The backline remains unchanged from last weekend’s history-making clash with Wales, as Caity Mattinson and Helen Nelson retain their half-back partnership, with Lisa Thomson and Emma Orr continuing at centre.
Both nominated for Guinness Six Nations Try of the Round for their efforts against Wales, wingers Coreen Grant and Rhona Lloyd will line up with Meryl Smith at full-back while Chloe Rollie once again lurks on the bench ready to strike as play breaks up later on. Francesca McGhie is still out through injury but will pose real selection headache if she’s available later in the tournament.
On the bench, centre Nicole Flynn and second row Fi McIntosh are set to win a first cap for Scotland.
Tickets for the match are still available from Scottish Rugby.
Scotland: Meryl Smith, Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Coreen Grant, Helen Nelson; Caity Mattinson; Leah Bartlett, Elis Martin, Christine Belisle, Emma Wassell, Louise McMillan, Rachel Malcolm, Alex Stewart, Evie Gallagher.
Replacements: Molly Wright, Lisa Cockburn, Elliann Clarke, Fiona McIntosh, Eva Donaldson, Mairi McDonald, Nicole Flynn, Chloe Rollie
France: tbc
1 response
The key takeaway from this match was that professionalism has narrowed the gap between Scotland and the top women’s teams. This Scottish side stayed in the game until the dying moments and had a great chance of winning against a strong French team. The forwards were outstanding to a woman and made the French pack look quite ordinary and the backs defended superbly. But for a couple of key errors and, eventually, some opposition excellence this game was there for the taking. I hope the loss after such a competitive performance doesn’t negatively impact their attitudes for the upcoming fixtures and the team continues to go from strength to strength.