Scotland have been handed a boost ahead of their final Guinness Women’s Six Nations match against Ireland on Saturday with captain Rachel Malcolm having recovered from the head injury suffered against Italy to be available for selection.
That is according to assistant coach Matt Banahan who also said on Wednesday afternoon that scrum-half Leia Brebner-Holden (head injury), back-row Alex Stewart (managing a slight injury) and centre Evie Wills (managing a slight injury) are all back fit too.
All four of the players missed the England match on Saturday with Wills having last played in round two against France and the other three in round three versus Italy.
“They are all feeling good and it is unusual going into the last week of a tournament with everybody available,” Banahan said, stating that 30 players have been training this week.
“Having so many bodies fit is good and has posed lots of different questions for us as a coaching group in recent days.
“They [Rachel and Leia] have passed their HIAs, they have done everything with the doctors, they did some skills with me on Tuesday, they have done their return to contact and have passed all their 12-day protocols so it is all good for them.
“It is not just the captaincy on the pitch that Rachel is so good with, it is also the things she does off the pitch as well.
“The amount she speaks and what she says around the group is so important, she says the right things at the right time to really bring the group together, so it has been nice having her properly back and integrated with everyone in recent days.”
The matchday 23 to take on Ireland at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh in round five on Saturday will be named by head coach Bryan Easson on Thursday. When back-row Malcolm was unavailable versus England in Leicester last weekend regular vice-captain Helen Nelson, the stand-off, led the team.
This Saturday is an important game for fifth placed Scotland against their third placed visitors given they have not won since round one versus Wales and they want to build some momentum ahead of the Rugby World Cup later in the year.
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.
Rachel Malcolm is pictured jumping in the lineout versus Italy – thanks to Ruby Adam Photography
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