Rachel Malcolm ruled out of England clash, Helen Nelson named captain

Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm has been ruled out of this weekend’s clash with England, with vice-captain Helen Nelson taking over the captaincy for the trip to Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Former Loughborough Lightning player Malcolm will miss the fixture due to a concussion, which she sustained during the loss to Italy in the weekend prior, meaning Evie Gallagher moves to the blindside from number eight for their round four fixture.

Aside from Gallagher’s positional change, only two changes have been made to the starting XV, with Caity Mattinson named at scrum-half as Leia Brebner-Holden is following return to play protocol, and Jade Konkel coming into the fold at number eight.

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

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‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

Alongside Gallagher and Konkel in the back row, Montpellier’s Rachel McLachlan is set to reach her 50th cap.

Two Leicester Tigers players will represent Scotland at their PWR home ground on Saturday, with Francesca McGhie retaining her place on the wing and Leah Bartlett named on the bench.

Head coach Bryan Easson has opted for a 5-3 split with the replacements, three of whom are in line to earn their first caps: back row Gemma Bell, scrum-half Rhea Clarke, and centre Rachel Philipps.

Clarke’s older sister, Elliann Clarke, starts in the unchanged front row alongside Bristol Bears teammate Lana Skeldon and Loughborough’s Anne Young, while Becky Boyd and Sarah Bonar once again take their places in the engine room.

Nelson captains the side at fly-half, with Lisa Thomson and Emma Orr continuing their partnership in the midfield. Rhona Lloyd remains on the right wing, and Chloe Rollie is named at full-back.

18 players in the Scotland matchday 23 currently play their club rugby in England for PWR clubs.

Fixture

Womens Six Nations

England Women

59 - 7

Full-time

Scotland Women

All Stats and Data

Scotland team to play England, Mattioli Woods Welford Road – Saturday 19 April 2025

15. Chloe Rollie – Trailfinders Women (73 caps )

14. Rhona Lloyd – Les Lionnes du Stade Bordelais (55)

13. Emma Orr – Bristol Bears (27)

12. Lisa Thomson – Trailfinders Women (67)

11. Francesca McGhie – Leicester Tigers (20)

10. Helen Nelson (Captain) – Loughborough Lightning (68)

9. Caity Mattinson – Trailfinders Women (30)

1. Anne Young – Loughborough Lightning (18)

2. Lana Skeldon – Bristol Bears (77)

3. Elliann Clarke – Bristol Bears (18)

4. Becky Boyd – Loughborough Lightning (2)

5. Sarah Bonar – Harlequins (45)

6. Evie Gallagher – Bristol Bears (33)

7. Rachel McLachlan – Montpellier (49)

8. Jade Konkel – Harlequins (69)

Replacements

16. Elis Martin – Loughborough Lightning (18)

17. Leah Bartlett – Leicester Tigers (41)

18. Molly Poolman –Edinburgh Rugby/Watsonian FC (2)

19. Adelle Ferrie – Edinburgh Rugby/Corstorphine Cougars (3)

20. Gemma Bell – Gloucester Hartpury/Hartpury University (uncapped)

21. Rhea Clarke – Edinburgh Rugby/University of Edinburgh (uncapped)

22. Rachel Philipps – Sale Sharks (uncapped)

23. Lucia Scott – Gloucester-Hartpury/Hartpury University (3)