Scotland Women's head coach Sione Fukofuka has rung the changes ahead of Saturday's Six Nations clash with France at Edinburgh's Hive Stadium, making seven alterations to the starting XV following a heavy defeat to Italy.
Blindside flanker Holland Bogan and outside centre Rachel Phillips will make their first Scotland starts, adding fresh energy to a side looking to bounce back from a disappointing 41-14 loss in Parma. The defeat came just a week after a narrow opening win over Wales, leaving Scotland with mixed form heading into the visit of the tournament's in-form team.
Key returns bolster the pack, with Leah Bartlett, Elis Martin, Louise McMillan, Becky Boyd, and Rhona Lloyd all recalled to the starting lineup. Bartlett and Martin slot into the front row at loosehead prop and hooker respectively, while lock McMillan celebrates her 60th cap—a testament to her consistency at this level. Number eight Boyd makes her first start of the campaign, adding physicality to the back row, and winger Lloyd returns after completing concussion protocols.
Captain Rachel Malcolm was ruled out just before kick-off in Italy due to injury, so fly-half Helen Nelson continues to lead the side. The leadership group will need to rally a team that was crushed at home by defending champions England earlier in the tournament, showing glimpses of promise but struggling for consistency.
On the bench, uncapped hooker Aicha Sutcliffe and Rhea Clarke both earn their first matchday 23 inclusion of the tournament, offering fresh options in the second half. France, meanwhile, arrive in Edinburgh on a three-match winning streak, having comfortably dispatched Italy, Wales, and Ireland. They'll pose a formidable challenge for a Scotland side still finding its identity under Fukofuka.
Scotland team to face France: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Rachel Phillips, Meryl Smith, Francesca McGhie; Helen Nelson (capt), Leia Brebner-Holden; Leah Bartlett, Elis Martin, Elliann Clarke, Emma Wassell, Louise McMillan, Holland Bogan, Eva Donaldson, Becky Boyd.
Replacements: Aicha Sutcliffe, Demi Swann, Molly Poolman, Hollie Cunningham, Emily Coubrough, Rhea Clarke, Lucia Scott, Shona Campbell.