Sione Fukofuka says new Scotland cap Emily Coubrough has great “potential” and “physicality” after he picked her at No.8 for Saturday’s Women’s Six Nations opener away to Wales.
With Evie Gallagher injured, the new head coach has brought 19-year-old Biggar product Coubrough, who now plays for Edinburgh University and Glasgow Warriors, into the starting XV for her full debut at the Principality Stadium (4.40pm, live on BBC).
Asked what got the under-20 cap the nod, Fukofuka said: “Emily’s physicality, to be honest. She’s come in and really thrown herself into that collision space in particular.
“We saw a lot of potential through the Celtic Challenge and we felt that with a little bit of guidance, a little bit of structure around her then there’s an opportunity to allow her to play her natural game.
“The fact that Rachel Malcolm is right next to her in the back-row is a big plus to that. Rachel spent the last week and a bit really working with her and giving her knowledge, but also giving her the confidence to just go out there and play.
“I don’t think it’s a surprise that Evie [Gallagher] is world class. There’s going to be an impact on the team without her there, but we are excited at the potential that Emily brings.
“We don’t need Emily to be Evie, we just need her to be herself and other players will step up to fill that space.”
On the bench, Coubrough’s fellow youngsters Holland Bogan, 21, and Rianna Darroch, 20, have been given spots and the second-row/six and scrum-half could also debut in Cardiff along with the more experienced loosehead prop Demi Swann who is 30.
Ask why the younger players have made the 23 in general, the head coach added: “Just their attitude, to be honest.
“There’s a lot of potential in there and obviously some learning to come, but they’ve come into this camp and not let that lack of experience overhaul them. They’ve really bought into what we want to try and achieve as a team.
“There’s a level of physicality that they’ve brought. You saw glimpses through the Celtic Challenge, but the opportunity to work with them last week this week and test them against some of the senior players has been fantastic.”
From the World Cup last game, tighthead prop Elliann Clarke, second-row Hollie Cunningham, back-row Alex Stewart, centre Meryl Smith and winger Shona Campbell also join the starting XV alongside Coubrough. Back-row Rachel McLachlan has a calf injury and winger Francesca McGhie has a shoulder injury.
- In the Wales squad, Jorja Aiono is selected in the second-row for a debut after impressing in a Brython Thunder side that reached the Celtic Challenge semi-finals while Seren Singleton is named on the wing for her debut after establishing herself as a regular for Brython over the past three seasons.
- The other round one games see France play Italy at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble (12.25pm UK time, live on BBC) and defending champions England face Ireland at Allianz Stadium Twickenham (2.25pm, live on BBC).
Emily Coubrough is pictured at Scotland training – thanks to N50 Photography
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