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Only one change for Scotland as they face Black Ferns
By Lucy Lomax
Scotland Head Coach Bryan Easson has made one change to the starting line-up ahead of this weekend’s final Rugby World Cup Pool A fixture against hosts, New Zealand, at Northland Events Centre, Whangarei (kick-off 4.45am UK time / 4.45pm NZ time).
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Shona Campbell moves to full-back from the bench, as she replaces Chloe Rollie who was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament earlier this week after sustaining an arm injury during the Australia game.
Easson has also added four players to his replacements, with Katie Dougan, Louise McMillan, Meryl Smith and Liz Musgrove adding options from the bench.
Easson said: “Last weekend’s result was a tough one to take but I can’t fault the passion, determination and belief the squad displayed against Australia. We’ve had a really good review this week and we will be looking to make sure we are clinical in executing our game plan against the Black Ferns.
“We’ve got two losing bonus points against two good sides and we are now looking to push on and show everyone that we are still in the fight.”
An unchanged front-row sees hooker Lana Skeldon pack down alongside Molly Wright and Christine Belisle, while Emma Wassell links up with Sarah Bonar again in the second-row.
Jade Konkel-Roberts anchors the back-row with captain Rachel Malcolm and Rachel McLachlan.
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Vice-captain Helen Nelson continues her half-back partnership with Caity Mattinson, while Lisa Thomson and Emma Orr are once again named at inside centre and outside centre respectively.
The back-three sees Shona Campbell at full-back, while Hannah Smith and Rhona Lloyd line up on the wing.
Scotland team to face New Zealand:
15. Shona Campbell (University of Edinburgh) – 8 caps
14. Rhona Lloyd (Les Lionnes du Stade Bordelais) – 41 caps
13. Emma Orr (Biggar) – 5 caps
12. Lisa Thomson (Sale Sharks) – 48 caps
11. Hannah Smith (Watsonians) – 36 caps
10. Helen Nelson VICE-CAPTAIN (Loughborough Lightning) – 45 caps
9. Caity Mattinson (University of Worcester Warriors Women) – 8 caps
1. Molly Wright (Sale Sharks) – 17 caps
2. Lana Skeldon (University of Worcester Warriors Women) – 56 caps
3. Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning) – 20 caps
4. Emma Wassell (Loughborough Lightning) – 59 caps
5. Sarah Bonar (Harlequins) – 33 caps
6. Rachel Malcolm CAPTAIN (Loughborough Lightning) – 32 caps
7. Rachel McLachlan (Sale Sharks) – 30 caps
8. Jade Konkel-Roberts (Harlequins) – 55 caps
Replacements
16. Jodie Rettie (Saracens) – 19 caps
17. Leah Bartlett (Loughborough Lightning) – 20 caps
18. Katie Dougan (Gloucester-Hartpury) – 16 caps
19. Lyndsay O’Donnell (University of Worcester Warriors Women) – 16 caps
20. Louise McMillan (Saracens) – 38 caps
21. Mairi McDonald (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 8 caps
22. Meryl Smith (University of Edinburgh) – 3 caps
23. Liz Musgrove (Watsonians) – 10 caps
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