Gemma Bell, Rhea Clarke and Rachel Philipps have all been named on the Scotland bench and could debut this weekend in Leicester against England in round four of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations.
It will be a big day for them all at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday, so here is what head coach Bryan Easson said about them when announcing his squad…
Gemma Bell, Gloucester-Hartpury/Hartpury University, back-row, age 20
“Gemma has not been with the group right through this Six Nations period, but she has always been one we have discussed and with Alex Stewart not available for this one she is an out-and-out seven replacement who can cover Rachel McLachlan.
“She performed really well for the under-20s in Italy last year and she is such a hard worker and so diligent in everything that she does. She is a player that we like, she has lots of energy and we thought this was a good opportunity to get her involved.”
Scottish Rugby profile here for more background information
Rhea Clarke, Edinburgh Rugby/University of Edinburgh, scrum-half, age 21
“Rhea has worked so, so hard on her game over the last couple of years and has worked really hard in training in recent weeks to get this opportunity.
“She really deserves this chance and it is just so exciting for her and Elliann [her older sister who is starting at tighthead prop] to be in a Scotland matchday 23 together. They are so good together and they are always helping each other out and we know that if Rhea gets on the pitch then she will give everything for the cause.”
Recent interview from this website here for more background information
Rachel Philipps, Sale Sharks, centre, age 23
“Rachel is a 12/13 who is coming off the back of a strong season with Sale Sharks. She is a physical, dominant ball carrier and she has bided her time to get this chance.
“She has been around the group since the summer, was with us in South Africa for WXV 2 and in training she has been looking strong and has been improving all of the time so it is exciting to see her progress.”
Recent interview from this website here for more background information
In terms of the rest of the matchday 23, well with regular skipper Rachel Malcolm and scrum-half Leia Brebner-Holden out with head injuries, Jade Konkel and Caity Mattinson replace them.
Back-row Rachel McLachlan will win her 50th cap while Alex Stewart, who was on the bench against Italy, and Evie Wills were not available for selection as the medical team are working with them to manage slight injuries. Helen Nelson, the stand-off and regular vice- captain, will lead the side on her 69th cap.
England are the world’s best team and have won three from three so far in the tournament and are looking a good bet for another title while the Scots are heading into this one fifth in the standings after one win and two losses to date.
The match is at 4.45pm on Saturday and will be shown across the BBC while Italy and France meet in Parma at 1pm UK time earlier in the day and Wales and Ireland meet in Newport on Sunday at 3pm.
Scotland squad to play England: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie; Helen Nelson (C), Caity Mattinson; Anne Young, Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke, Becky Boyd, Sarah Bonar, Evie Gallagher, Rachel McLachlan, Jade Konkel. Subs: Elis Martin, Leah Bartlett, Molly Poolman, Adelle Ferrie, Gemma Bell, Rhea Clarke, Rachel Philipps, Lucia Scott.
The Guinness Women’s Six Nations runs from March 22 to April 26 and, next up at home, Scotland are at Hive Stadium in round five versus Ireland on the final day – get tickets here.
Gemma Bell, Rhea Clarke and Rachel Philipps are pictured
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