Scotland cap Molly Poolman returns from injury to start for Edinburgh Rugby in the women’s Celtic Challenge derby with Glasgow Warriors on Saturday at noon at Hive Stadium.
Edinburgh began their campaign in the six-team competition that features Welsh and Irish sides also with a 34-7 defeat away to two-time defending champions Wolfhounds last weekend while Glasgow defeated Brython Thunder on the road 36-17 with a bonus point.
As a result, Edinburgh will be glad to have seven-cap international tighthead prop Poolman returning to the fray and she starts in place of Fate Sutherland. Charlotte Russell and Lisa Brown replace Cat Moody and Lucy MacRae in the back-row and at centre respectively.
Former Scotland cap Nicola Howat could debut from the bench as could Tamzin Rosie of Heriot’s who came through the ranks at Caithness.
Edinburgh head coach Claire Cruikshank said: “We can’t wait to get out there against Glasgow as derby games just have such a great edge to them, especially in front of a big crowd at Hive Stadium.
“I was really proud of our performance last week, going to Ireland was a tough challenge but the players rose to it and brought so much energy and passion for the jersey. I can’t wait to see more of that here.”
Cruikshank has named an unchanged back three with captain Hannah Walker and Cieron Bell on the wings and Scarlett Haddow at full-back.
Brown starts at outside centre, with Rachel Philipps shifting in one position to start at inside centre. The half-back pairing is unchanged, with Hannah Ramsay partnering Watsonians teammate Emily Love.
Poolman is the sole change in the capital outfit’s front five, starting alongside loosehead prop Talei Tawake and hooker Aila Ronald in the front-row with Adelle Ferrie and Natasha Logan forming the second-row pairing.
Russell starts at blindside flanker joining openside Alex Stewart and No.8 Merryn Gunderson in the back-row.
Millie Whitehouse, Alison Wilson, Faye Sutherland and Nicole Marlow join Howat, Moody, Rosie and MacRae on the bench.
Edinburgh won the corresponding fixture 63-15 last term, but a much closer encounter is expected this time.
The game takes place before the men’s 1872 Cup second leg which is at Murrayfield at 3pm.
Molly Poolman, Charlotte Russell and Lisa Brown are pictured – thanks to Edinburgh Rugby/Scottish Rugby