Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm has called for a “physical and abrasive” performance from her charges in Saturday’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations round five clash with Ireland at Hive Stadium.
The game is at 2.30pm and will be shown on BBC iPlayer while there is tracking to be over 6,000 supporters inside the ground in Edinburgh.
The Grand Slam decider between England and France at Allianz Stadium Twickenham is then at 4.45pm and Italy-Wales in Parma rounding off this year’s tournament at 11.30am UK time on Sunday.
All Scottish focus is on the Hive though and the hosts, fifth in the table, have been boosted by the return of skipper Rachel Malcolm in the back-row from a head injury for this game while, along with her and Leia Brebner-Holden, loosehead prop Leah Bartlett also come into the starting team.
Ireland are third in the standings and have been going well so it will be a tough game, but one Malcolm and co are up for.
“There has been a really good mentality in the group this week,” the skipper, 33, told Scottish Rugby on Friday after the captain’s run.
“Last weekend against England was tough and we haven’t shied away from that in recent days.
“We looked at that game and we have looked at areas that we can improve on and get small wins in this weekend while we have also been looking at our strengths and have been really driving them this week.
“We need to have a much more physical and abrasive performance this week and that is what we have been focusing on in training and really pushing that during our sessions.
“The attitude has been outstanding and I think we had probably our best training day of the campaign on Wednesday so everyone is chomping at the bit to get out there and put things into practice against a good Irish team.
“We know that we have to be at our absolute best here because Ireland have been going really well this tournament so we need to come out and start fast, stay fast and be physical. It’ll be a challenge, but we are definitely up for it.
“Ireland are a team that want to fly off the line, they are a team that wants to make big shots so we have to match that because if we don’t we will not even get a foothold in the game.
“Physicality is going to be a massive thing, but we always have to focus on playing our own game to give our backs the platform that they need.”
- The medical teams who have helped Emma Wassell in recent months have been given the honour of presenting the match ball ahead of the Scotland match, more information on the matchday plans including live music from Beluga Lagoon here.
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.
The Scotland matchday squad is pictured – thanks to Scottish Rugby
GH Media will be covering Scotland women’s journey right through to Rugby World Cup 2025, bringing insight from within the camp throughout and featuring other parts of the game in this country too – thanks to those already supporting the content, if you or your company would like to get involved please email gary@gh-media.co.uk