Rachel Philipps will bring “directness” and a “little bit more punch” to Scotland’s midfield in Saturday’s Women’s Six Nations match with France.
The clash at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh (4.15pm, live on BBC) will see Philipps, the 24-year-old Biggar, Edinburgh University and Watsonians product, earn her third cap for her country and make hr first start.
And head coach Sione Fukofuka is backing the Sale Shark do a job in the 13 shirt.
“She’s obviously been in and around the squad for a while now and it will be a big day for her getting the chance to start,” the head coach said.
“Rachel’s been great, she’s worked really hard through the first month that we’ve been together as a group during this campaign and, as a coaching group, we just felt, especially against Italy, that we lacked a little bit of directness in our back line.
“She came on and gave us more directness and added a little bit more punch so we’re looking for her to play in that same way against France which will allow us to go forward.”
Philipps’ rugby journey began at local club Biggar when she was 15 after a taster session at the local high school she attended caught her imagination.
After school Philipps was keen to pursue a teaching qualification and she managed to do that at Edinburgh University while also playing for the rugby team there.
Having had a taste of age-grade rugby when she was at university, next came time with Watsonians before her move southwards to Sale.
Philipps’ Scotland debut came last season in the Six Nations off the bench versus England. She then just missed out on the Rugby World Cup squad, but came off the bench versus Italy a fortnight ago and is now starting.
For the France match, Leah Bartlett, Elis Martin, Louise McMillan, Holland Bogan, Becky Boyd and Rhona Lloyd have all come in to start alongside Philipps while Rhea Clarke and Emily Coubrough have earned bench spots alongside Aicha Sutcliffe who could debut.
Along with Philipps, it is also Bogan’s first start after three caps off the bench.
With Rachel Malcolm and Lana Skeldon out, stand-off Helen Nelson is captain and second-row Emma Wassell is vice-captain.
- In the other games in the Six Nations on Saturday, Italy are playing England at 2pm UK time (live on BBC) and Ireland are taking on Wales at 6.30pm (live on BBC).
Rachel Philipps is pictured – thanks to N50 Photography
The Women’s Six Nations is here and the 2026 event runs from April 11 to May 17 and, between April 6 and May 20, GH Media will be covering Scotland’s campaign and the wider tournament – keep an eye out for content and thanks to everyone who supports GH Media’s work within women’s rugby