Scotland second-row Hollie Cunningham has been ruled out of the Women’s Rugby World Cup through injury.
Cunningham, the Bristol Bear, had surgery on a hamstring issue in early April and head coach Bryan Easson hoped she would make it back in time for the showpiece event in England in August and September, but it is not to be.
The 26-year-old Bristol Bears player who is eligible for the Scots because her grandmother was born in Aberdeen, had a fine debut against Wales in round one of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations back in March.
Sadly, she was forced off after just 66 seconds in Scotland’s round two loss to France in La Rochelle later that month and has been trying to come back from that blow ever since. She was named in the 38-strong wider training squad, but will not be named in the shortened-32 player group for the big dance next week.
Easson confirmed the news on Thursday saying: “Unfortunately, Hollie Cunningham is out of the Rugby World Cup.
“She injured her hamstring early against France. She’s just not been in the right position for us to kick on.
“It’s disappointing to lose somebody like Hollie. She is a different type of player to what we have.
“We’d been watching her a lot at Bristol and then I thought she performed brilliantly against Wales in her first cap. She really does bring dominance and physicality.
“She’s brilliant around the group. That’s the highs and lows of sport, it’s unfortunate for her.
“I think if the World Cup had been three or four weeks later, she’d have been alright. You can’t risk that. She’s young, she’s got a good future ahead of her. We’ve had the conversation and, unfortunately, she’s just not going to be available.”
Easson reported that there are no other injuries causing major concern with key players Jade Konkel, Sarah Bonar and Francesca McGhie “all in a good place”.
For the final Summer Test with Ireland in Cork on Saturday (2pm kick-off, live on BBC iPlayer), Easson has made six changes to the starting XV from the one that lost to Italy.
The 21-year-old stand-off Hannah Ramsay will make her first start after a debut off the bench in Viadana.
Full-back Chloe Rollie, centre Emma Orr, scrum-half Caity Mattinson, loosehead prop Anne Young and back-row Alex Stewart also come in.
Captain Rachel Malcolm moves to the second-row from the back-row while Lucia Scott moves from full-back to the wing and Molly Poolman and Beth Blacklock are added to the bench.
Scotland’s build-up to the World Cup has been fraught with off field issues compounded by the 34-29 reverse to Italy so they will want a positive result here to start building some momentum.
From the extended training squad Gemma Bell, Becky Boyd, Sarah Bonar, Hollie Cunningham, Jade Konkel, Aila Ronald, Rhea Clarke, Francesca McGhie, Rachel Philipps, Hannah Walker and Meg Varley have not been involved in either warm-up game.
Scotland squad to play Ireland: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Lucia Scott; Hannah Ramsay, Caity Mattinson; Anne Young, Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke, Emma Wassell, Rachel Malcolm (C), Rachel McLachlan, Alex Stewart, Evie Gallagher. Subs: Elis Martin, Leah Bartlett, Molly Poolman, Adelle Ferrie, Eva Donaldson, Leia Brebner-Holden, Beth Blacklock, Coreen Grant.
Tickets for Scotland-England at Murrayfield in April 2026 can be purchased here.
Hollie Cunningham is pictured playing against Wales
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