Fukofuka makes two Scotland changes for Six Nations conclusion

Scotland have made two changes for their Round 5 Guinness Women’s Six Nations meeting with Ireland at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.

Emily Coubrough has been included at No.8 by head coach Sione Fukofuka for her fourth appearance of this Championship. Becky Boyd is moved to blindside flanker and Holland Bogan takes a place among the replacements.

Francesca McGhie drops out of the match day squad entirely and Shona Campbell is installed on the wing. She completes a back three with Chloe Rollie and Rhona Lloyd.

Elsewhere the front-row there are no changes, as Leah Bartlett, Elis Martin and Elliann Clarke all get starts in the final match of the Championship. Vice-captain Emma Wassell continues her lock partnership with Saracens forward Louise McMillan.

After a two-try first Scotland start against France last time out, Rachel Philipps is named in the midfield with Meryl Smith. They will play outside of half-back partners Leia Brebner-Holden and stand-in captain Helen Nelson.

Coreen Grant is named on the bench and could earn her first appearance of this year’s Women’s Six Nations if called upon. She is one of three backs named among the replacements alongside Lucia Scott and Rhea Clarke.

Aicha Sutcliffe, Demi Swann, Molly Poolman and Hollie Cunningham finish the bench.

Scotland will be hosted by Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Sunday. Over 30,000 tickets have been sold for the Round 5 fixture, which is the first-ever standalone fixture at Ireland’s national stadium.

It has also been confirmed that from this point onwards, the Siobhan Cattigan Trophy will be contended between the two nations. The Trophy is named after Scotland forward Siobhan Cattigan who passed away in 2021.

Scotland match day squad v Ireland

15. Chloe Rollie
14. Rhona Lloyd
13. Rachel Philipps
12. Meryl Smith
11. Shona Campbell
10. Helen Nelson (C)
9. Leia Brebner-Holden
1.Leah Bartlett
2. Elis Martin
3. Elliann Clarke
4. Emma Wassell (VC)
5. Louise McMillan
6. Becky Boyd
7. Eva Donaldson
8. Emily Coubrough

Replacements

16. Aicha Sutcliffe
17. Demi Swann
18. Molly Poolman
19. Hollie Cunningham
20. Holland Bogan
21. Rhea Clarke
22. Lucia Scott
23. Coreen Grant