After a much narrower loss to France than previous encounters had suggested, Scotland head coach Bryan Easson looks to continue the upward trend for the visit of undoubted tournament favourites and current table-toppers, England.
In front of a sold out 7,774 fans at Hive Stadium – the second attendance record in as many home games – skipper Rachel Malcolm will once again lead the side, while for the Red Roses there is a change at captain with Zoe Aldcroft taking the armband and regular skipper Marlie Packer on the bench.
Elsewhere Chloe Rollie and Lana Skeldon return to the starting XV with the impressive Elis Martin making way for Skeldon, the only change in the pack.
In the backline there is a shuffle as the underused Meryl Smith moves to inside centre to make way for Rollie and GB7s player Lisa Thomson drops to the bench. Also on the bench, last year’s break out star Fran McGhie makes her first tournament appearance following injury.
With sights set on a mid-table finish, keeping the score to a minimum is desirable but with a very strong side and impact off the bench, and England rotating their squad a bit, dare we dream?
Scotland: Chloe Rollie, Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Meryl Smith, Coreen Grant, Helen Nelson; Caity Mattinson; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Christine Belisle, Emma Wassell, Louise McMillan, Rachel Malcolm, Alex Stewart, Evie Gallagher.
Replacements: Elis Martin, Molly Wright, Elliann Clarke, Fiona McIntosh, Rachel McLachlan, Mairi McDonald, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie.
England: Ellie Kildunne, Abby Dow, Megan Jones, Tatyana Heard, Jess Breach; Holly Aitchison, Natasha Hunt; Hannah Botterman, Amy Cokayne, Maud Muir, Rosie Galligan, Abbie Ward, Zoe Aldcroft, Sadia Kabeya, Alex Matthews.
Replacements: Connie Powell, Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Clifford, Maddie Feaunati, Marlie Packer, Lucy Packer, Zoe Harrison, Sydney Gregson
2 Responses
This English side is the strongest possible choice. I wish the best for Scotland but they have an uphill struggle. This English side is the strongest woman’s team in the world.
The commentator is such a cheerleader for England. Making me appreciate the balance of Brian Moore.