Scotland Women’s Six Nations Squad – Team to play Italy

Josh Graham

Bryan Easson's side are still searching for a win

Helen Nelson will win her 50th cap after being named in Bryan Easson’s Scotland Women’s Six Nations squad to take on Italy in Round Four of the TikTok Women’s Six Nations.

Nelson brings up her half century at fly-half but has a new half-back partner in the shape of Mairi McDonald, who makes her first start of the championship in place of Caity Mattinson who drops to the bench.

Read more: Women’s Six Nations fixtures

That is one of four changes Easson has made to the backline with Coreen Grant named on the wing, meaning Lisa Thomson – who brought up her 50th appearance last time out – moves to outside-centre.

Emma Orr has been ruled out of contention after suffering a concussion, so Meryl Smith will play at inside-centre.

There are two changes in the pack, with Jade Konkel-Roberts moving forward to the second-row from No 8, where Evie Gallagher takes over. Rachel McLachlan comes in on the openside.

Elidh Sinclair is the only new addition on the bench from the 23 that lost to France.

Scotland Women’s Six Nations Squad to play Italy:

Scotland: 15 Chloe Rollie, 14 Coreen Grant, 13 Lisa Thomson, 12 Meryl Smith, 11 Francesca McGhie, 10 Helen Nelson, 9 Mairi McDonald, 1 Leah Bartlett, 2 Lana Skeldon, 3 Christine Belisle, 4 Jade Konkel-Roberts, 5 Louise McMillan, 6 Rachel Malcom (C), 7 Rachel McLachlan, 8 Evie Gallagher

Replacements: 16 Jodie Rettie, 17 Anne Young, 18 Elliann Clarke, 19 Eva Donaldson, 20 Elidh Sinclair, 21 Caity Mattinson, 22 Beth Blacklock, 23 Liz Musgrove

Scotland Women’s Six Nations Squad to play France:

Scotland: 15 Chloe Rollie, 14 Liz Musgrove, 13 Emma Orr, 12 Lisa Thomson, 11 Francesca McGhie, 10 Helen Nelson, 9 Caity Mattinson; 1 Leah Bartlett, 2 Lana Skeldon, 3 Christine Belisle, 4 Lyndsay O’Donnell, 5 Louise McMillan, 6 Rachel Malcolm (c), 7 Evie Gallagher, 8 Jade Konkel-Roberts

Replacements: 16 Jodie Rettie, 17 Anne Young, 18 Elliann Clarke, 19 Eva Donaldson, 20 Rachel McLachlan, 21 Mairi McDonald, 22 Meryl Smith, 23 Coreen Grant

Scotland Women’s Six Nations Squad to play Wales:

Scotland: 15. Chloe Rollie, 14. Coreen Grant, 13. Emma Orr, 12. Meryl Smith, 11. Francesca McGhie, 10. Helen Nelson (VC), 9. Caity Mattinson; 1. Leah Bartlett, 2. Lana Skeldon, 3. Christine Belisle, 4. Lyndsay O’Donnell, 5. Louise McMillan, 6. Rachel Malcolm (C), 7. Rachel McLachlan, 8. Evie Gallagher

Replacements: 16. Jodie Rettie, 17. Anne Young, 18. Elliann Clarke, 19. Eva Donaldson, 20. Eilidh Sinclair, 21. Mairi McDonald, 22. Beth Blacklock, 23. Liz Musgrove

Scotland Women’s Six Nations Squad to play England:

Scotland: 15. Chloe Rollie, 14. Coreen Grant, 13. Emma Orr, 12. Meryl Smith, 11. Francesca McGhie, 10. Helen Nelson (VC), 9. Caity Mattinson; 1. Leah Bartlett, 2. Lana Skeldon, 3. Christine Belisle, 4. Lyndsay O’Donnell, 5. Louise McMillan, 6. Rachel Malcolm (C), 7. Rachel McLachlan, 8. Evie Gallagher

Replacements: 16. Jodie Rettie, 17. Anne Young, 18. Elliann Clarke, 19. Eva Donaldson, 20. Eilidh Sinclair, 21. Mairi McDonald, 22. Beth Blacklock, 23. Liz Musgrove

Flanker Rachel Malcolm will captain Scotland Women’s Six Nations squad with Bryan Easson naming six uncapped stars in a 36-strong squad for the championship.

Scotland finished last season’s tournament winless but will be aiming to put those wrongs right this time around with Malcolm’s Loughborough Lightning team-mate Helen Nelson named as vice-captain.

Forwards Erinn Foley and Emma Turner and backs Rhea Clarke, Francesca McGhie and Holly McIntyre have all impressed for the Thistles in the inaugural Celtic Challenge and will be looking to make their international bows along with Beth Blacklock and former age-grade skipper Fiona Cooper.

Read more: Women’s Six Nations fixtures

Harlequins No 8 Jade Konkel-Roberts is a surprise inclusion just four weeks after she underwent ankle surgery but it is unclear when she is due to return to action.

New attack coach Chris Laidlaw will support head coach Easson, who said: ““We are entering a fresh, exciting period for the Scotland Women programme, with professional contracts in place, new faces to the squad and management team and a new Rugby World Cup cycle beginning.

“It was fantastic to get the Celtic Challenge competition underway back in January and a number of younger players have rightfully earned their spot in the squad after some impressive performances across the four games.

Related: Women’s Six Nations TV coverage

“We have a good mix of experienced and younger players, so will be exciting to see what the group are capable of over the coming weeks.

“It’s fantastic to add Chris to the coaching set-up, following on from the recent news about Martin Haag’s appointment as forwards coach as well, and I’m looking forward to working with him and the rest of the management group over the coming weeks.”

Scotland Women’s Six Nations Squad 2023

FORWARDS (21)

Leah Bartlett (Loughborough Lightning)

Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning)

Sarah Bonar (Harlequins)

Elliann Clarke (University of Edinburgh)

Lisa Cockburn (University of Worcester Warriors)

Fiona Cooper (Wasps)

Eva Donaldson (University of Edinburgh)

Erinn Foley (Hillhead Jordanhill)

Evie Gallagher (University of Worcester Warriors)

Jade Konkel-Roberts (Harlequins)

Rachel Malcolm CAPTAIN (Loughborough Lightning)

Elis Martin (DMP Sharks)

Rachel McLachlan (Sale Sharks)

Louise McMillan (Saracens)

Panashe Muzambe (Exeter Chiefs)

Lyndsay O’Donnell (Bristol Bears)

Lana Skeldon (University of Worcester Warriors)

Emma Turner (Corstorphine Cougars)

Jodie Rettie (Saracens)

Emma Wassell (Loughborough Lightning)

Anne Young (Sale Sharks)

BACKS (15)

Beth Blacklock (Harlequins)

Rhea Clarke (University of Edinburgh)

Coreen Grant (Saracens)

Sarah Law (Sale Sharks)

Caity Mattinson (University of Worcester Warriors)

Mairi McDonald (Exeter Chiefs)

Francesca McGhie (Watsonians)

Holly McIntyre (University of Edinburgh)

Liz Musgrove (Wasps)

Helen Nelson VICE-CAPTAIN (Loughborough Lightning)

Emma Orr (Heriot’s / Biggar)

Chloe Rollie (Loughborough Lightning)

Eilidh Sinclair (Exeter Chiefs)

Meryl Smith (University of Edinburgh)

Evie Wills (Hillhead Jordanhill)

Players unavailable for selection through injury: Molly Wright, Jenny Maxwell.

Scotland Women’s Six Nations Fixtures 2023

(All kick-off times are UK & Ireland time)

Round One 

Sat 25 Mar, England 58-7 Scotland, Kingston Park, 4.45pm

Round Two

Sat 1 Apr, Scotland 22-34 Wales, DAM Health Stadium, 5.30pm

Round Three

Sun 16 Apr, France 55-0 Scotland, Stade de la Rabine, 3.15pm

Round Four

Sat 22 Apr, Scotland v Italy, DAM Health Stadium, 4.45pm

Round Five

Sat 29 Apr, Scotland v Ireland, DAM Health Stadium, 7.30pm

Don’t miss a game with this Women’s Six Nations TV coverage guide.

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