Scotland have named an experienced team to take on Colombia for a place in the 2021 Rugby World Cup, with only two players in the starting line-up with fewer than 20 caps for the winner-takes-all clash.
Bryan Easson’s side are one game away from a place in this year’s tournament, with the winners of this Friday’s match joining hosts New Zealand, Australia and Wales in Pool A of the Rugby World Cup.
Easson has opted for continuity in selection for the final leg of Scotland’s qualification journey, with 14 players retaining their spot in the starting line-up from last September’s qualifier match against Ireland.
Easson said: “I think it was important to look at the team that played against Ireland and Japan as we’ve got good consistency with this group at the moment.
“We’ve got real depth within our group, so it’s a testament to those starting this weekend but also to those on the bench who have been pushing them hard for places.
“Our forward pack has been really solid in recent games, while in the backs we’ve got a tried and tested group.
“We are really looking forward to the match. It’s been a long qualification journey and I’m sure it’ll be an exciting match for everyone watching back home.”
The tight-five sees Lana Skeldon pack down alongside Leah Bartlett and Christine Belisle in the front-row, with Emma Wassell and Louise McMillan named in the second-row.
Captain Rachel Malcolm joins Rachel McLachlan and Jade Konkel in the back-row to form the remainder of the pack.
Jenny Maxwell gets the nod at scrum-half, while Sarah Law starts at stand-off, having kicked the crucial conversion against Ireland that secured Scotland’s place in the Final Qualification Tournament.
Helen Nelson and Lisa Thomson make up the centre partnership, with Nelson starting at inside centre and Thomson at outside centre.
An experienced back-three sees Chloe Rollie start at full-back, with Rhona Lloyd and Megan Gaffney on the wings.
Caity Mattinson and Eva Donaldson could also make their international debut on Friday if called upon from the bench, while Sarah Bonar is unavailable for selection due to injury.
Scotland Women side to face Colombia on Friday 25 February:
15. Chloe Rollie (Exeter Chiefs) – 44 caps
14. Rhona Lloyd (Les Lioness du Stade Bordelaise) – 32 caps
13. Lisa Thomson (Sale Sharks) – 39 caps
12. Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning) – 36 caps
11. Megan Gaffney (Loughborough Lightning) – 38 caps
10. Sarah Law (Sale Sharks) – 47 caps
9. Jenny Maxwell (Loughborough Lightning) – 35 caps
1. Leah Bartlett (Loughborough Lightning) – 11 caps
2. Lana Skeldon (Worcester Warriors) – 47 caps
3. Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning) – 11 caps
4. Emma Wassell (Loughborough Lightning) – 51 caps
5. Louise McMillan (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 30 caps
6. Rachel Malcolm CAPTAIN (Loughborough Lightning) – 23 caps
7. Rachel McLachlan (Sale Sharks) – 23 caps
8. Jade Konkel (Harlequins) – 48 caps
Replacements:
16. Molly Wright (Sale Sharks) – 9 caps
17. Lisa Cockburn (Worcester Warriors) – 22 caps
18. Katie Dougan (Gloucester Hartpury) – 14 caps
19. Eva Donaldson (Edinburgh University) – uncapped
20. Evie Gallagher (Stirling County) – 7 caps
21. Caity Mattinson (Worcester Warriors) – uncapped
22. Evie Wills (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 2 caps
23. Shona Campbell (Edinburgh University) – 1 cap
