Gary Heatly in Exeter
Elliann Clarke was “close” to being back fit for Saturday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool B decider versus Canada and it is hoped she will still be able to play a part in the knock-out stages.
The 24-year-old Fifer, who plays for Bristol Bears, has become Scotland’s first choice tighthead over the last 12 months or so, but was forced off last weekend in the win over Fiji after 42 minutes with a knee injury.
There was concern at the time that she may be ruled out of the rest of the showpiece event in England, but it appears we may well see her in the quarter-finals on September 13/14.
“Elliann got taken off last week, she got a scan,” head coach Bryan Easson said on Thursday.
“We were close to getting her ready this week, but we want to keep going in this competition as far as we can, so it wasn’t quite right for this one.
“I thought Lisa Cockburn came on when Elliann went off last week and did really well, she made 14 tackles in that time [38 minutes], had some big set pieces to go against and did not take a backwards step.
“She will start this time and young Molly Poolman – who has not had an opportunity, yet but has been one of the non-23 who have been brilliant in terms of preparing us properly for every game – now gets her chance to shine on the world stage from the bench.”
For the Canada clash at Exeter’s Sandy Park (noon, live on BBC Two), experienced hooker Lana Skleldon and back-rower Jade Konkel return to start and be on the bench respectively after one-week injury lay-offs.
“They are back up to full speed,” Easson added.
I want to speak highly of them as individuals about how they’ve got there, but I can’t speak highly enough about our medical team too, they have just been brilliant.
“The time that they spend – we have clinics from very early in the morning to late at night to make sure that the players are ready are ready – is excellent.
“Josie [Symonds, the head of physical performance] has been working tirelessly as well on the recovery stuff. So, it doesn’t just happen in terms of the work that the individual players do to get back fit/stay fit, but the medical team helps them a lot too.
“To at the stage we’re at [in a World Cup] with still the same squad of 32 we started with is testament to the work that went on in pre-season, but also testament to the work that’s going on day after day.
Easson also said that Caity Mattinson’s late withdrawal before kick-off last week versus Fiji was a “medical one”, but she is fully fit and will be on the bench against Canada.
Bonus point wins over Wales and Fiji mean that Scotland have already made it to the last eight.
They are currently second in the pool behind Canada, who have also made it to the knock-out stages, and who tops the section after three games will be decided when the two teams meet tomorrow.
Second in the world Canada will be favourites in that one, but if sixth in the world Scotland can cause an upset then they would likely avoid tournament favourites England in the last eight and would play Australia or USA.
Scotland’s quarter-final will be in Bristol on either September 13 or 14, but for now Canada are the focus.
Scotland squad to play Canada: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie; Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Lisa Cockburn, Emma Wassell, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (C), Rachel McLachlan, Evie Gallagher. Subs: Elis Martin, Anne Young, Molly Poolman, Jade Konkel, Eva Donaldson, Alex Stewart, Caity Mattinson, Evie Wills.
The Canada matchday 23 is here.
Elliann Clarke is pictured during the Fiji game – thanks to Ruby Adam Photography
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.