Scotland Women will play in front of a home crowd for the first time in two years when they host Japan for an Autumn International this Sunday.
The two sides last faced in one another in November 2019, before Covid-19 put a halt on supporters attending.
That day Japan came out on top in a closely fought contest, 24-20.
Bryan Easson’s team are aiming for a third straight win after a successful September where they beat both Spain and Ireland away from home in Rugby World Cup European qualifiers.
As a result, they have shot up to ninth in the World Rugby rankings and will be hoping to solidify that position with another positive scoreline against the Japanese.
The Brave Blossoms, by contrast, come into this one hurting after last week’s 23-5 defeat against Wales.
It should make a fascinating contest with Japan looking to build momentum ahead of next year’s World Cup, while the hosts will want to keep up the good form going into the qualifying repechage tournament for the same event.
Kick-off at the DAM Health Stadium in Edinburgh on Sunday is at 4.10pm.
TEAM NEWS
Scotland head coach Bryan Easson is sticking close to his trusted line-up that did so well in September.
He makes just one change from the side that beat Ireland in their last outing, with Sarah Bonar returning to the starting XV in the second-row.
She replaces Louise McMillan who is on the bench, alongside two uncapped players – Anne Young and Shona Campbell.
Captain Rachel Malcolm leads the team once again, starting at blindside flanker, with Sale Sharks’ Rachel McLachlan on the other side.
Experience will come in the form of lock Emma Wassell, who is in line to win her 51st cap against Japan.
WHAT THEY SAID
Scotland Head Coach Bryan Easson; “Although this is an excellent opportunity to build momentum for the World Cup Qualifiers Repechage Tournament, we have worked very hard this week to prepare and concentrate for this Test match. Our focus is 100% on the game this weekend.
“This is a group of players who have played together a lot now and we will use this fixture to keep the team connected ahead of our World Cup repechage games next year and I know the players will want to take the opportunity to represent their country again in front of fans for the first time since that Japan game in 2019.
“We have spoken this week about making sure we fully respect Japan. They have waited a long time to play again after beating us at Scotstoun in 2019 and they will be stronger for their game against Wales. Japan are a very skilful team who like to play with tempo. They have some very talented individuals and I have no doubt that this will be a very exciting match.”
THE TEAMS
Scotland team to play Japan: 15. Chloe Rollie, 14. Rhona Lloyd, 13. Hannah Smith, 12. Lisa Thomson, 11. Megan Gaffney, 10. Helen Nelson, 9. Jenny Maxwell, 1. Leah Bartlett, 2. Lana Skeldon, 3. Christine Belisle, 4. Emma Wassell, 5. Sarah Bonar, 6. Rachel Malcolm (Captain), 7. Rachel McLachlan, 8. Jade Konkel.
Replacements: 16. Molly Wright, 17. Anne Young, 18. Lisa Cockburn, 19. Louise McMillan, 20. Evie Gallagher, 21. Sarah Law, 22. Evie Wills, 23. Shona Campbell.
