Scotland head coach Bryan Easson wants loosehead prop Leah Bartlett, scrum-half Leia Brebner-Holden and skipper Rachel Malcolm to bring energy from minute one versus Ireland on Saturday after all three were named in the starting XV.
Bartlett, 26, comes in off the bench for the round five Guinness Women’s Six Nations match having impressed in the second half versus England and will earn her 43rd cap at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh.
Brebner-Holden, 22, and 33-year-old back-rower Malcolm have both returned from head injuries suffered versus Italy in round three and will be earning cap number nine and cap number 56 respectively.
“I want them to bring energy,” Easson said after naming his squad on Thursday.
“Leah Bartlett has gone really with this year so far off the bench.
“She has been used to starting games in the past, but Anne Young has been doing very well and Leah has had to try and make her mark off the bench.
“Now she gets a deserved chance to start and Anne has played a lot of rugby from the PWR season through to now so this was just a good chance to reenergise things a bit.
“Leah came off the bench last week against England and showed that energy that we were looking for and she is a very good scrummager.
“In terms of Leia Brebner-Holden she has been really good throughout the Six Nations.
“It was unfortunate that she got injured against Italy because her core skills as a nine are excellent and she gives us real width.
“She has a good passing game, a good kicking game and is a good defender and she brings real energy.
“And Rachel Malcolm, well we all know what she brings as a leader within this group on and off the pitch, and she really drives things.
“She has not missed many Scotland games in recent years so she is bursting with energy and keen to get out there as well.”
Bartlett’s inclusion sees Young on the bench while Brebner-Holden’s return sees Caity Mattinson drop out of the matchday 23 altogether.
With Malcolm back in her usual number six jersey, Evie Gallagher shifts to No.8 with Jade Konkel moving into the second-row and Becky Boyd moving to the bench. That means Adelle Ferrie drops out of the squad.
Among the replacements, back-row Gemma Bell and scrum-half Rhea Clarke, who earned first caps last time out, retain their places, but fit-again Evie Wills comes in for Rachel Philipps to cover the midfield.
Scotland are currently fifth in the standings after one win in four with Ireland third after two wins to date.
The game is at 2.30pm on Saturday and will be shown on BBC iPlayer.
Scotland squad to play Ireland: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie; Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke, Jade Konkel, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (C), Rachel McLachlan, Evie Gallagher. Subs: Elis Martin, Anne Young, Molly Poolman, Becky Boyd, Gemma Bell, Rhea Clarke, Evie Wills, 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.
Leah Bartlett, Leia Brebner-Holden and Rachel Malcolm are pictured – thanks to Scottish Rugby and Ruby Adam Photography
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