Experienced hooker Lana Skeldon has been passed fit for Scotland’s opening game of the Women’s Rugby World Cup against Wales on Saturday at Salford City Stadium.
The 31-year-old has recovered from the ankle injury she suffered in Scotland’s final warm-up match against Ireland three weeks ago.
Her World Cup participation had been in doubt but the most capped player in Scotland’s 32-player squad starts in the front row between props Leah Bartlett and Elliann Clarke.
Sarah Bonar returns to the starting line-up to partner Emma Wassell in the second row while captain Rachel Malcolm is joined in the back row by openside Rachel McLachlan and number eight Evie Gallagher, who will make her Rugby World Cup debut.
Scrum-half Leia Brebner-Holden is also poised for her first appearance in the tournament and will form the half-back pairing with fly-half Helen Nelson, while centres Lisa Thomson and Emma Orr continue their midfield partnership.
Full-back Chloe Rollie will line up between wingers Rhona Lloyd and another World Cup debutant, Francesca McGhie, in the Pool B game against a side with whom Scotland have a fierce rivalry.
Coach Bryan Easson has opted for a 6:2 split of forwards and backs on the bench, with experienced pair Jade Konkel and Molly Wright among the pack replacements.
Wales co-captain Alex Callender – a doubt after injuring her ankle against Australia earlier this month – has been passed fit to face Scotland.
The influential back-rower leads a side showing five personnel and one positional switch from their second Test defeat in Sydney.
