Scotland Women captain Rachel Malcolm will mark her 50th cap against Italy on Saturday 28 September against Italy in her side’s opening match of WXV 2, with Head Coach Bryan Easson making seven changes to the starting line-up that defeated Fiji two weeks ago.
After earning her first start for Scotland in that Fiji match, Anne Young retains the number one jersey, packing down with Lana Skeldon at hooker and Christine Belisle at tighthead.
Fi McIntosh and Sarah Bonar are primed to set up in the engine room, flanked by Malcolm and Rachel McLachlan, with Evie Gallagher returning at number 8.
Helen Nelson and Caity Mattinson will resume their half-back partnership for the first time since the 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations.
In the midfield, Meryl Smith and Emma Orr will pull the strings at inside and outside centre respectively.
The back three is occupied by wingers Coreen Grant and Francesca McGhie, with by Chloe Rollie at full-back.
The bench takes formation with a split of five forwards; Elis Martin, Lisa Cockburn, Elliann Clarke, Louise McMillan and Alex Stewart, and three backs; Leia Brebner-Holden, Lisa Thomson and Lucia Scott.
Italy v Scotland, DHL Stadium, Saturday 28 September, kick-off 3pm – available to watch via BBC iPlayer and RugbyPass.tv
15. Chloe Rollie – Ealing Trailfinders (67)
14. Coreen Grant – Saracens (12)
13. Emma Orr – Bristol Bears (21)
12. Meryl Smith – Bristol Bears (19)
11. Francesca McGhie – Leicester Tigers (14)
10. Helen Nelson – Loughborough Lightning (62)
9. Caity Mattinson – Ealing Trailfinders (24)
1. Anne Young – Loughborough Lightning (12)
2. Lana Skeldon – Bristol Bears (71)
3. Christine Belisle – Loughbrough Lightning (37)
4. Fi McIntosh – Saracens (3)
5. Sarah Bonar – Harlequins (39)
6. Rachel Malcolm – captain – Loughborough Lightning (49)
7. Rachel McLachlan – Montpellier (44)
8. Evie Gallagher – Bristol Bears (29)
Replacements
16. Elis Martin – Loughborough Lightning (12)
17. Lisa Cockburn – Gloucester-Hartpury (31)
18. Elliann Clarke – Bristol Bears (13)
19. Louise McMillan – Saracens (54)
20. Alex Stewart – Corstorphine Cougars (6)
21. Leia Brebner-Holden – Gloucester-Hartpury/Cheltenham Tigers (2)
22. Lisa Thomson – Ealing Trailfinders (61)
23. Lucia Scott – Hartpury University/Gloucester Hartpury (2)
Rook
In the early days of rugby, there were no points awarded for ‘tries.’
Serendipity
In 1877 Charlie Bannerman from Australia scored the first century in a Test match.