Array ( [post_type] => match [numberposts] => 10 [meta_key] => date [orderby] => meta_value_num [order] => DESC [meta_query] => Array ( [relation] => AND [0] => Array ( [key] => date [compare] => < [value] => 20260721 [type] => DATE ) ) [tax_query] => Array ( [relation] => AND [0] => Array ( [taxonomy] => team [field] => term_id [terms] => 1306 [operator] => AND ) ) ) 
Array
(
    [post_type] => match
    [numberposts] => -1
    [meta_key] => date
    [orderby] => meta_value_num
    [order] => DESC
    [meta_query] => Array
        (
            [relation] => AND
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [key] => date
                    [compare] => <
                    [value] => 20260721
                    [type] => DATE
                )

        )

    [tax_query] => Array
        (
            [relation] => AND
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [taxonomy] => team
                    [field] => term_id
                    [terms] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => 1306
                            [1] => 1333
                        )

                    [operator] => AND
                )

        )

)
lang="en-GB"> Scotland set for World Cup Opener against Wales - Scottish Rugby Blog
Site icon Scottish Rugby Blog

Scotland set for World Cup Opener against Wales

Rory Baldwin
Skipper Rachel Malcolm - pic © Peter Watt

Skipper Rachel Malcolm - pic © Peter Watt/N50 Sports

Head coach Bryan Easson has confirmed his Scotland line-up for their opening match of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 against Wales. The Pool B clash takes place this Saturday, 23 August, at Salford City Stadium in Manchester, kicking off at 2.45pm live on BBC One and iPlayer.

OUr redoubtable captain Rachel Malcolm leads the side from the back row, joined by openside Rachel McLachlan and No.8 Evie Gallagher, set to make her Rugby World Cup debut.

In the second row, Sarah Bonar returns to the starting XV to partner Emma Wassell, the pair linking up for their second World Cup together.

The front row sees Lana Skeldon, Scotland’s most capped player in the 32-strong squad, start at hooker. She packs down alongside loosehead Leah Bartlett and tighthead Elliann Clarke.

In the backs, Helen Nelson, preparing for her second World Cup, partners scrum-half Leia Brebner-Holden. Regular centres Lisa Thomson and Emma Orr continue their midfield partnership, while out wide the back three of Rhona Lloyd and Francesca McGhie line up on the wings with Chloe Rollie at full-back, as featured in much of the Six Nations.

Easson has gone with a 6:2 split on the bench; even pretty experienced players like Elis Martin, Lisa Cockburn, Eva Donaldson and Alex Stewart could all win their first World Cup caps if brought on. They are joined by the experienced Jade Konkel and Molly Wright to complete the forward cover. Caity Mattinson and Beth Blacklock are named as the two backs among the replacements.

We haven’t got the women’s records in for the last World Cup yet (want to help?) but here are their last 10 results in all competitions:

Scotland last 10 games

2026L
2026 Guinness Womens Six Nations54-5Away Loss to Ireland
2026L
2026 Guinness Womens Six Nations28-69Home Loss to France
2026L
2026 Guinness Womens Six Nations7-84Home Loss to England
2026W
2026 Guinness Womens Six Nations19-24Away Win over Wales
2026W
2026 Guinness Mens Six Nations31-20Home Win over England
2025L
2025 Women's Rugby World Cup40-19Away Loss to Canada
2025W
2025 Women's Rugby World Cup29-15Home Win over Fiji
2025W
2025 Women's Rugby World Cup38-8Home Win over Wales
2025W
2025 Guinness Womens Six Nations26-19Home Win over Ireland
2025L
2025 Guinness Womens Six Nations59-7Away Loss to England

Hover or click the matches to view more information.

Scotland record against Wales

2025W
2025 Women's Rugby World Cup38-8Home Win over Wales
2025W
2025 Guinness Womens Six Nations24-21Home Win over Wales
2024W
2024 Women's Autumn Tests40-14Home Win over Wales
2024W
2024 Guinness Women's Six Nations18-20Away Win over Wales

Hover or click the matches to view more information.

Scotland: Chloe Rollie, Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie, Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke, Emma Wassell, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (capt), Rachel McLachlan, Evie Gallagher.
Replacements: Elis Martin, Molly Wright, Lisa Cockburn, Jade Konkel, Eva Donaldson, Alex Stewart, Caity Mattinson, Beth Blacklock.

Wales: Nel Metcalfe; Lisa Neumann, Hannah Dallavalle, Courtney Keight, Jasmine Joyce-Butchers; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Kelsey Jones, Donna Rose, Alaw Pyrs, Gwen Crabb, Kate Williams (co-capt), Bethan Lewis, Alex Callender (co-capt).
Replacements: Carys Phillips, Maisie Davies, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Abbie Fleming, Georgia Evans, Seren Lockwood, Kayleigh Powell, Carys Cox.

Exit mobile version