1
Four changes for Scotland with Italy away next in the Six Nations
Bryan Easson has made four changes to his Scotland side to visit Italy in the Guinness Six Nations this Saturday.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Scottish boss was disappointed that his selection failed to fire a shot in their 0-46 home loss to England last weekend in Edinburgh and he has reacted by making two backline alterations and two more in the pack.
In the backs, Lisa Thomson returns to the midfield in the place of the benched Meryl Smith while Francesca McGhie is promoted from the subs to take over on the left wing from Coreen Grant, who has been named as the 23rd woman for Parma.
Up front, Molly Wright is another of last weekend’s round three subs to secure a promotion as she takes over at loosehead in place of the benched Leah Bartlett, and Eva Donaldson also makes the jump from the bench at the expense of Fi McIntosh to get her first Test start.
Saturday’s round four game will be a milestone occasion for right wing Rhona Lloyd, the Great Britain 7s/Stade Bordelais player, as it will be her 50th Test cap for Scotland.
Scotland (vs Italy, Saturday)
15. Chloe Rollie – Loughborough Lightning (64)
14. Rhona Lloyd – GB Sevens / Stade Bordelais (49)
13. Emma Orr – Heriot’s Blues (17)
12. Lisa Thomson – GB Sevens (58)
11. Francesca McGhie – Leicester Tigers (10)
10. Helen Nelson – (vice-captain) – Loughborough Lightning (57)
9. Caity Mattinson – Gloucester-Hartpury (20)
1. Molly Wright – Sale Sharks (21)
2. Lana Skeldon – Bristol Bears (67)
3. Christine Belisle – Loughborough Lightning (32)
4. Eva Donaldson – Leicester Tigers (9)
5. Louise McMillan – Saracens (51)
6. Rachel Malcolm (captain) – Loughborough Lightning (45)
7. Alex Stewart – Corstorphine Cougars (3)
8. Evie Gallagher – Bristol Bears (25)
Replacements:
16. Elis Martin – Leicester Tigers (8)
17. Leah Bartlett – Leicester Tigers (33)
18. Elliann Clarke – Bristol Bears (9)
19. Fiona McIntosh – Saracens (1)
20. Rachel McLachlan – Sale Sharks (41)
21. Mairi McDonald – Exeter Chiefs (21)
22. Meryl Smith – Bristol Bears (16)
23. Coreen Grant – Saracens (10)
ADVERTISEMENT
"We didn't put on a performance that crowd deserved…"
– Bryan Easson on Scotland hosting a record home Six Nations attendance of 7,774 in Edinburgh, from Liam Heagney ?? #GuinnessW6N #SCOvENG #ScottishRugby #rugby pic.twitter.com/uC48BmtRHx
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 14, 2024
Comments on RugbyPass
Ben’s Myth History is written by the guy who does the engraving on the trophy. Took Ben six months to write this piece.
8 Go to commentsThis article should have been written immediately after the final, not half a year later. While the content of the article is accurate with the references to the cruel bounce to Savea right before the try line, Etzebeth’s cynical infringement, and the inconsistent cards, some of the hyperbole emotional statements are unnecessary and gaslighting. The fact remains that the Springboks took their scoring opportunities. They had amazing defence throughout the entire match (limiting the ABs to one try is very respectable), their scrum was pretty good and they had quite a solid lineout despite having a part-time hooker throwing the ball in. Let’s give credit where credit is due and move forward. The Springboks won because they know how to win big games through strong defence and kicking, and they had lady luck on their side on the day. The All Blacks miraculously made the final despite everyone’s predictions and could’ve won the whole damn thing with 14 men who should’ve taken better advantage of their scoring chances and committed less mistakes (shoddy lineouts, dropped balls, some poor kicks and passing, etc), and an average coach and captain with some questionable tactics (Jordie kicking for goal late in the game from a dodgy position and perhaps the wrong game plan overall). Time to move on.
8 Go to commentsThere’s no doubt the All Blacks were the better team on the day, but it’s not enough to be better, you also have to have luck.
8 Go to commentsI dunno, Ben. It does feel a little like you are just in denial that the Springboks are really good. Good enough to win two straight world cups.
8 Go to commentsAre we still talking about the World Cup final in May? The final took place more than 6 months ago. Isn’t it time to move on?
8 Go to commentsIt looks like the trauma counseling is not helping the Ben Smith troll much. He is still trying to convince his little brain that his loser team won the RWC.
8 Go to commentsOh dear, Jon. Ben Smith’s Saffer clickbait was at least backed up by some rationale!
8 Go to commentsThe more direct approach to your past time this time I see Ben. Look, it doesn’t need to be said, anyone watching the match knows the ABs played better and just got robbed by the officiating, but lets face it, their dominance in the match was only because South Africa choked and forgot how to play rugby with the ball. South Africa were still the better side. Of course Ireland and France were also better sides that New Zealand. Possibly even England on WC performances.
8 Go to commentsGreat mythology - no surprises Ox didn't talk about being driven backwards by Laulala in the RWC final!
4 Go to commentsJust shows how a hand up can help as long as the invitation is accepted. Good story.
1 Go to commentsKarma is a powerful force
22 Go to commentsFrench players said the same thing to the All Blacks after their pool match in 2011. But the French can back up their s**t talk with action.
75 Go to commentsThe problem is the officiating & changing rulings,& TMOs.Last weekend I saw a 9 penalized for a crooked scrum feed! the last time I saw that rule applied was In about 1975!!!!!!!!.Late or not the incident is history & Australians alleging that Kiwi rugby supporters wear eye patches is a bit rich.Try listening to Australian Commentators.Every new player who has an above average game is suddenly the next great sensation.
22 Go to commentsEvery Irish fan in the stadium celebrated like they had won the tournament after the SA and Scotland games so yeah, the way Etzebeth tells it stacks up. It was definitely ‘In Their Heads’!
75 Go to commentsEtsebeth is right about 1 thing. Boks after winning a RWC have been crap. Only in 2009 did they reach the heights of what a RWC Champion should look like but that was only after 3rd/last in the TriN 2008. Lost a home series in 1996 (vs ABs); didnt win even 1 x Rugby Championship after 2019. ABs and Wallabies and England at least played like Champions after winning RWC.
75 Go to commentsCrusaders will knock one of the top seeds out in the first round, hope it’s not my Chiefs
28 Go to commentsEben really seems like just a deeply unpleasant man.
75 Go to commentsDMac. BB crabs too much at 10.
5 Go to commentsIt is every boys dream to be a Springbok. I managed it in a discipline other than rugby…But rugby, I have always engaged with passion. It does my old heart good to see the mix of people in the team and this displays the possibilities for this wonderful country. The logo “stronger together” says it all. This current edition of the Boks is nothing short of inspirational.
4 Go to commentsIrish people about the best damn people on the planet. OK, in the NH. Fijians are the World’s best happiest friendliest people. But as far as European cultures producing good people, Ireland stands alone. But on the rugby pitch there is a creeping arrogance that has detached from humility. eg Sexton abusing a match referee, and not for the 1st time. He was extremely lucky to make it to the RWC, strings were pulled. And O’Mahoneys sledge to Cane was lowballing, attacking an opposition Captain seems opportunistic and gutter talk. Cane is a real gentleman. Have never seen ABs unleash after the whistle like they did on O’Mahoney after QterF, it was well deserved. Unlike Bok supporters, the Bok players understand history. Massive amount of respect between Boks and ABs is evident, they get on well and have throughout history. Even Pinetree Meads best mate (except his old cobber Kel Tremain) were Springboks, friendships forged after tours. And Meads was always targetted given his star status (he even played 2 x Tests with a broken arm). On the contrary, ABs and Wallabies famously dont get on, bad blood after Aussies not taking offer of beersies postmatch.
75 Go to comments