Gary Heatly in Manchester
Scotland head coach Bryan Easson says the starting XV he has selected for the Women’s Rugby World Cup opener with Wales on Saturday is the “strongest one” that he has been able to pick during in his time in the role.
Given that he has been in post since late 2020 that is quite something ahead of what is a massive Pool B game at the Salford Community Stadium in Manchester at the weekend (2.45pm, live on the BBC).
Having hooker Lana Skeldon, second-row Sarah Bonar and winger Francesca McGhie back fit to start and Elis Martin and Jade Konkel being available to take up bench spots means that the whole matchday 23 has an experienced and solid look to it.
Perhaps feeling most hard done by will be loosehead prop Anne Young who, after starting or being involved in the 23 for quite a while now, misses out to Leah Bartlett and Molly Wright.
With a 6-2 bench split, Beth Blacklock has won the battle to be one of the two backs alongside Caity Mattinson.
“We have had a clean bill of health this week which has been pleasing considering we’ve had some injuries over the warm up period,” Easson said on Thursday lunchtime.
“We had a few players out against Italy and against Ireland, but it’s been really good to be able to have a full week’s training with these guys now.
“It’s a strong side, probably the strongest one that I’ve been able to pick over my time with a national squad. I am pleased that it’s come at this time.”
Skeldon, the 31-year-old who will be earning her 82nd cap this weekend, was the biggest doubt for this one given the ankle injury she suffered in the Summer Test versus Ireland.
However, her recovery is a massive boost and Easson said: “We wouldn’t play somebody unless they were mentally and physically ready.
“The medics have been excellent. I can’t speak highly enough of them and the work that they’ve done.
“When you have a player who gets an injury like that not that long ago, the work that’s gone into that has been huge to get her back.
“You look at the way Lana’s worked, Jade’s worked, Sarah Bonar as well, the work that they’ve put in behind the scenes to make sure that they’re ready to play in this game is a testament to them.
“The big focus with this group is team first. We talk a lot about the team comes first, not yourself. So, if they weren’t ready, they’d have been honest.
“We’re happy with how they’ve progressed this week. We’ve got a captains’ run on Friday and we’ll make sure that everybody’s right and ready to go.”
The tournament in England runs from August 22 to September 27 and the Scotland group stage matches are against Wales on Saturday, Fiji in Manchester on August 30 and Canada in Exeter on September 6.
The top two from each pool will make it through to the last eight in the 16-team event with a quarter-final spot definitely achievable for the Scots.
Scotland squad to play Wales: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie; Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke, Emma Wassell, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (C), Rachel McLachlan, Evie Gallagher. Subs: Elis Martin, Molly Wright, Lisa Cockburn, Jade Konkel, Eva Donaldson, Alex Stewart, Caity Mattinson, Beth Blacklock.
The Wales matchday 23 is here.
The full Scotland squad of 32 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.