Scotland women are all set to make history on Sunday as they prepare for their first-ever clash against Japan.
Philip Doyle’s side were defeated 17-3 by Women’s Six Nations rivals Wales in their autumn opener last time out, with changes the order of the day for the head coach.
He has made seven from the side that was beaten at Scotstoun, with skipper Rachel Malcolm shifting from flanker to hooker, where she’ll be joined by Mairi Forsyth and Lisa Cockburn, who replaces the injured Megan Kennedy.
Elsewhere in the pack, Sarah Bonar and Emma Wassell will be the starting locks, with Louise McMillan and Rachel McLachlan the flankers, and Jade Konkel earning her 40th cap at No.8.
In the backs, Jenny Maxwell gets the nod at scrum-half, with Helen Nelson at 10.
Lisa Thomson moves to inside centre and Hannah Smith comes in outside her, while the back three comprises of the exciting Rhona Lloyd, Chloe Rollie and Megan Gaffney.
And there will be a pair of uncapped players on the replacements bench, with Anne Young and Issy Drexler looking to make their international debuts against a Japan side who drew 17-17 with Italy last weekend.
“We’re all really looking forward to playing Japan on Sunday,” said Doyle.
“They are an exciting team and it is great to be able to develop the relationship between the two unions even further.
“We’ve suffered a few injuries since last week so have brought in a couple of players to the squad. Anne Young came to South Africa with us, so it’s a good opportunity to bring her back into the squad.
“Issy Drexler is new to the squad and I’m keen to see how she works alongside some of her Watsonians teammates if she makes it onto the field this weekend.”
Scotland v Japan (Sunday 24 November 1pm, Scotstoun)
Scotland: Chloe Rollie, Rhona Lloyd, Hannah Smith, Lisa Thomson, Megan Gaffney, Helen Nelson, Jenny Maxwell, Lisa Cockburn, Rachel Malcolm (c), Mairi Forsyth, Emma Wassell, Sarah Bonar, Louise McMillan, Rachel McLachlan, Jade Konkel
Replacements: Issy Drexler, Panashe Muzambe, Anne Young, Christine Belisle, Evie Tonkin, Mhairi Grieve, Sarah Denholm, Abi Evans
Japan team TBC
