Scotland Women U20 make nine changes ahead of France clash

A new-look front row takes shape with Chloe Brown at loosehead, joined by Karis Craig and Molly Poolman at hooker and tighthead respectively.

Ellie Williamson earns her first start, partnering Natasha Logan in the second row.

Gemma Bell and Samaanther Taganekurukuru both earn their first start in the back row, with Megan Hyland retaining the number eight jersey.

The former co-captain of Glasgow Warriors, Rhea Clarke, makes her first start of the campaign at scrum-half, partnering Hannah Ramsay, who comes into the starting lineup at stand-off.

Lucy MacRae remains in place at inside centre, with Lucia Scott moving into the outside centre position from full-back. Hannah Walker, co-captain, and Sky Phimister retain their jerseys on the wing and are completed in the back-three by Izzy McGuire-Evans.

Co-captain Poppy Fletcher, Aila Ronald, Eilidh Fleming, Holland Bogan and Lauryn Walter could each make an impact as forward replacements from the bench, with scrum-half Rebekah Douglas, stand-off Ceitidh Ainsworth and winger Ami Conchie completing the matchday 23.

Speaking on the announcement, Cruikshank said: “Our match against Italy was a positive starting point for us as a group and overall, we’re pleased with how we played but we know there are some things to fix.

“We have seen from their performance against Wales that France are a very strong side so this will be a big test for us but with that challenge comes an exciting opportunity to make changes both with personnel and positions and I’m looking forward to seeing some debuts and some new partnerships.

“Leia Brebner-Holden, Merryn Gunderson and Nicole Flynn are all rested after picking up injury on Thursday. Our medical team are taking great care of them and we hope they will be fit for our final match later in the week.”

Scotland Women U20 team to face France at Sergio Lanfranchi Stadium, Parma (kick off 5.30pm BST) – live on scottishrugby.org.

15. Izzy McGuire-Evans (Sale Sharks/Glasgow Warriors)

14. Sky Phimister (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors)*
13. Lucia Scott (Hartpury University/Gloucester Hartpury)
12. Lucy MacRae (University of Edinburgh/Glasgow Warriors)*
11. Hannah Walker CO-CAPTAIN (University of Edinburgh/Edinburgh Rugby)*

10. Hannah Ramsay (Unattached/Edinburgh Rugby)*
9. Rhea Clarke (University of Edinburgh/Glasgow Warriors)*

1. Chloe Brown (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors)*
2. Karis Craig (Watsonian FC/Glasgow Warriors)*
3. Molly Poolman (Watsonian FC/Edinburgh Rugby)*
4. Ellie Williamson (West of Scotland/Glasgow Warriors)*
5. Natasha Logan (University of Edinburgh/Edinburgh Rugby)*
6. Gemma Bell (Hartpury University/Gloucester Hartpury/Edinburgh Rugby)
7. Samaanther Taganekurukuru (Stirling County/Edinburgh Rugby)*
8. Megan Hyland (Garioch/Glasgow Warriors)*

Replacements

16. Aila Ronald (University of Edinburgh/Edinburgh Rugby)*
17. Poppy Fletcher CO-CAPTAIN (University of Edinburgh/Edinburgh Rugby)*
18. Eilidh Fleming (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors)*
19. Holland Bogan (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors)*
20. Lauryn Walter (Brunel University/Ealing Trailfinders)
21. Rebekah Douglas (Corstorphine Cougars/Glasgow Warriors)*
22. Ceitidh Ainsworth (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors)*
23. Ami Conchie (Watsonian FC/Edinburgh Rugby)*

*Regional Training Centre supported player