MyZA

News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff

You are here: Home / News / Sport / Cunningham Set for Six Nations Debut Against Wales

Cunningham Set for Six Nations Debut Against Wales

Scotland Women Head Coach Bryan Easson has named his squad for the opening round of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations, as they prepare to take on Wales at Hive Stadium this Saturday (22 March 2025, kick-off 4.45pm).

Hollie Cunningham is set to make her international debut, starting in the second row alongside experienced campaigner Sarah Bonar. The pack also features Anne Young and Ellianne Clarke, who both earn a first Six Nations start at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively, with Scotland stalwart Lana Skeldon lining up at hooker.

Captain Rachel Malcolm leads from the blindside, forming a dynamic back-row trio with openside flanker Rachel McLachlan and the powerful Evie Gallagher at number 8.

In the backs, Leia Brebner-Holden will steer the attack from scrum-half, linking up with Helen Nelson at stand-off. The midfield partnership of Lisa Thomson and Emma Orr resumes in the centre, while an exciting back three sees Rhona Lloyd and Francesca McGhie take to the wings, with Chloe Rollie at full-back.

Easson has opted for a 6-2 split on the bench, with Evie Wills in line to make her first international appearance in three years should she be called upon. Caity Mattinson provides cover at scrum-half, while second row Adelle Ferrie could mark her Scotland debut after being named among the replacement forwards alongside Elis Martin, Leah Bartlett, Christine Belisle, Alex Stewart, and Jade Konkel.

Scotland Women team (caps in brackets) to face Wales in Round 1 of the 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations on Saturday 22 March (kick-off 4.45pm) – broadcast live across BBC Two and iPlayer from 4.30pm.

15. Chloe Rollie – Trailfinders Women (70)

14. Rhona Lloyd – Les Lionnes du Stade Bordelais (52)
13. Emma Orr – Bristol Bears (24)
12. Lisa Thomson – Trailfinders Women (64)
11. Francesca McGhie – Leicester Tigers (17)

10. Helen Nelson (vice-captain) – Loughborough Lightning (65)
9. Leia Brebner-Holden – Loughborough Lightning (5)

1. Anne Young – Loughborough Lightning (15)
2. Lana Skeldon – Bristol Bears (74)
3. Elliann Clarke – Bristol Bears (15)
4. Hollie Cunningham – Bristol Bears (uncapped)
5. Sarah Bonar – Harlequins (42)
6. Rachel Malcolm (captain) – Unattached (52)
7. Rachel McLachlan – Montpellier (46)
8. Evie Gallagher – Bristol Bears (31)

Replacements

16. Elis Martin – Loughborough Lightning (15)
17. Leah Bartlett – Leicester Tigers (38)
18. Christine Belisle – Loughborough Lightning (40)
19. Adelle Ferrie – Edinburgh Rugby/Corstorphine Cougars (uncapped)
20. Alex Stewart – Edinburgh Rugby/Corstorphine Cougars (8)
21. Jade Konkel – Harlequins (66)
22. Caity Mattinson – Trailfinders Women (27)
23. Evie Wills – Leicester Tigers (3)

Category: Tag:

If you feel strongly about this article then feel free to send MyZA a ‘Letter to the Editor’ using the submission form below:

Letter to the Editor

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
If this is in response to an article please include that article title here or as the lead in for the first paragraph of your Letter below.

Separate tags with commas

Localise your letter by naming the city your words are about. Add relevant words describing your subject. Single comma separated words of no more than 5
Your Name(Required)
Your Name will be linked to the website below.
Your personal, business or social media web site
Choose NO to not set up a user account on MyZA. User Accounts will allow you to submit letters under your own Author Name

3 Latest Letters to the Editor:

  • Older Persons Grants Land Today — No Need to Queue at Dawn

    Dear Editor, Older Persons grants are paid today, 30 October, under SASSA’s revised November payment schedule — with disability grants on Monday 2 November, children’s grants on Tuesday 3 November, and grants under review on Thursday 5 November. Two things every beneficiary should know. First, grant money does not expire on payment day. It stays…

  • November Grants Pay Early – No Need to Queue at Dawn

    Dear Editor, I run SAGrant (sagrant.co.za), a free resource helping South Africans navigate SASSA grants. November grants pay earlier than usual. Older Persons grants are paid on Friday 30 October, Disability grants on 2 November, and Child Support and other grants on 3 November. Grants still under review are paid on 5 November. The money…

  • NSFAS 2027 applications close on 31 October — SASSA households, apply now

    Dear Editor, I run SAGrant (sagrant.co.za), a free resource helping South Africans navigate SASSA grants. NSFAS applications for the 2027 academic year close on Friday 31 October 2026, and no extension is expected. If your household receives a SASSA grant, your child already passes the NSFAS financial eligibility test — but they still have to…

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sport Trivia: Who captained the South African 1992 Olympic squad? Answer: Oscar Chalupsky. Elana Meyer won silver in the 10000m in Barcelona. Malcolm Todd represented South Africa in archery, and Penny Heyns was the youngest member of the squad at just 17. Oscar Chalupsky is a rower/paddler and has been in the limelight in this arena since his first competition in 1979. He placed second in the Molokai World Surf Ski Championship in 2006, at the age of 43.

  2. The term “wicket” is used multiple times in cricket. Getting a wicket is dismissing a batsman. Losing a wicket is getting dismissed. A bowler who dismisses a batsman is said to take a wicket. Sometimes, a cricket pitch is called a wicket, although this is considered incorrect by the Laws of Cricket. Regardless, it is still being used, especially by commentators.