Gallagher replaced in Scotland's Six Nations squad

Scotland back-row Evie Gallagher has been replaced in Sione Fukofuka’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations squad by Gemma Bell.

Gallagher, 25, has not featured for her club side, Bristol Bears, since the start of March due to injury and has returned to the West Country to continue her rehabilitation.

Bell, who earned her first cap against England in last year’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations, enjoyed a dominant campaign for Glasgow Warriors in the Celtic Challenge.

Neither Scottish team made it to the semi-final stage of this season’s Celtic Challenge season, which was won by Ireland’s Wolfhounds last weekend at Edinburgh’s Hive Stadium.

Outside of the Celtic Challenge the majority of Bell’s match minutes have come in BUCS Super Rugby competition for Hartpury University.

The loss of Gallagher will be a significant one for Fukofuka ahead of his debut term as Scotland boss.

At last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup, 25-year-old Gallagher was her country’s leading tackler (72), scored two tries and carried for 162 metres at the tournament.

Since Scotland’s quarter-final exit to England at last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup, Gallagher picked up where she left off in Premiership Women’s Rugby.

So far this season the 25-year-old has scored seven tries for Bristol, carried the ball for 334 meres, won 19 turnovers and beaten 24 defenders.