SCOTLAND coach Bryan Easson has made two changes to his starting line-up for Saturday’s must-win Rugby World Cup Pool A against Australia, with openside flanker Rachel McLachan and outside centre Emma Orr both returning after missing the 18-15 loss to Wales because of injury.
McLachlan takes the No 7 jersey from Louise McMillan, who drops out of the 23. Orr takes over in midfield from Hannah Smith, who moves from centre to the wing, ousting Megan Gaffney from the squad. In an unusual bench split, Easson has named four backs and four forwards.
“We haven’t faced Australia before, so it’s going to be a different contest to last weekend,” Easson said after naming his side. “Its great to have Rachel McLachlan and Emma Orr available again. Australia have an abrasive back row and we know that Rachel brings physicality to her game, while Emma really impressed us throughout the Women’s Six Nations after making her debut earlier this year.”
Meanwhile, forward Eilidh Sinclair will miss the rest of the tournament as a result of the elbow injury she sustained against the Welsh. Eva Donaldson has been called up.
Scotland (v Australia at the Northland Events Centre, Saturday 3am UK time); C Rollie; R Lloyd, E Orr, L Thomson, H Smith; H Nelson, C Mattinson; M Wright, L Skeldon, C Belisle, E Wassell, S Bonar, R Malcolm (captain), R McLachlan, J Konkel-Roberts. Substitutes: J Rettie, L Bartlett, E Clarke, L O’Donnell, M McDonald, S Law, E Wills, S Campbell.