Gary Heatly in Bristol
Christine Belisle has been called up to the Scotland squad with Elliann Clarke ruled out of the rest of the Women’s Rugby World Cup through injury.
Clarke, the 24-year-old Fifer who plays for Bristol Bears, hurt her knee in Scotland’s second pool match versus Fiji and then missed the third game against Canada as a result.
The injury is clearly worse than the Scotland medics hoped because the 24-capper will not be seen again in the event.
With fellow tighthead prop Lisa Cockburn ruled out for 12 days currently due to a head injury and concussion return protocols after going off against Canada, Belisle has been called up as cover for the quarter-final with England in Bristol this Sunday.
Belisle, the 31-year-old from Loughborough Lightning who has 41 caps, was not selected in the extended training squad at the start of the summer. That came after she left the squad after the Wales game in the Six Nations and seemed to be ended her Scotland career in May when, within a social media statement, she said “my heart is heavy that it’s over”.
But now gets her chance to potentially make appearance number 42 in a massive game for her country.
The Scotland matchday 23 to face England will be named on Friday with Belisle and 21-year-old six-capper Molly Poolman the only fit out-and-out tightheads remaining.
Scotland Women’s Rugby World Cup squad
Forwards: Leah Bartlett, Christine Belisle, Becky Boyd, Sarah Bonar, Lisa Cockburn, Eva Donaldson, Evie Gallagher, Adelle Ferrie, Jade Konkel, Rachel Malcolm (C), Elis Martin, Rachel McLachlan, Molly Poolman, Lana Skeldon, Alex Stewart, Emma Wassell, Molly Wright, Anne Young.
Backs: Leia Brebner-Holden, Beth Blacklock, Rhea Clarke, Coreen Grant, Rhona Lloyd, Caity Mattinson, Francesca McGhie, Helen Nelson, Emma Orr, Hannah Ramsay, Chloe Rollie, Lisa Thomson, Hannah Walker, Evie Wills.
Christine Belisle is pictured
From August 7 until September 30, GH Media will be following the Scotland World Cup journey all of the way. We will be at all of the Scotland matches down south and will be bringing you all of the interviews and news from camp as well as taking a wider look at the tournament as a whole and its impact on the women’s game. Thanks to Quirky Chocolate and other supporters for allowing this content to happen and to readers for engaging with it.