Chiefs trio go head-to-head in RWC opener

By Mark Stevens
7/10/22

Exeter Chiefs trio Robyn Wilkins, Chloe Rollie and Eilidh Sinclair are set to go head-to-head as Wales face Scotland in their opening Pool A Rugby World Cup fixture at Northland Events Centre, Whangarei (kick-off 5.45am UK time / 5.45pm NZ time) – live on ITV.

Full-back Rollie lines-up in a settled Scotland squad named by Bryan Easson, who sticks with 13 of the starting line-up retaining their place from Scotland’s last game against USA in August.

Sinclair, meanwhile is named on the bench for Scotland as is new signing Wilkins, who will do similiarly for the Welsh, who will give Meg Webb her first start in more than two years.

Webb, whose last start came against France in the 2020 Six Nations, missed last season’s Six Nations campaign due to glandular fever while Georgia Evans, makes her first start since breaking her arm in February and will partner Natalia John in the second row.

Wing Lisa Neumann, who missed the warm-up Test matches because of injury, has also returned to full fitness and form to claim her spot in the starting XV.

Rollie starts at full-back for Scotland, who include Megan Gaffney and Rhona Lloyd on the wings. The front-row sees hooker Lana Skeldon pack down alongside Molly Wright and Christine Belisle, while Emma Wassell links up with Sarah Bonar in the second-row.

No.8 Jade Konkel anchors a formidable back-row with captain Rachel Malcolm and Louise McMillan, while vice-captain Helen Nelson forms a half-back partnership with Caity Mattinson, while Hannah Smith partners Lisa Thomson in the midfield.

Easson said: “Firstly, we are all just excited to get underway here in Whangarei. When the players take to the pitch on Sunday, it will mark a moment that has been 12 years in the making for Scotland Women so it will be incredibly poignant for everyone involved and hopefully for those watching back home too.

“The work-rate and dedication in our training sessions throughout the summer period and here in New Zealand has been exceptional. It will be crucial that we keep our composure and focus for the full 80 minutes on Sunday.

“Our joint training session with South Africa last weekend provided an excellent opportunity to analyse and tighten up on certain aspects of our game and I know the players are now raring to go against Wales.”

Welsh head coach Ioan Cunningham added: “There have been a lot of selection headaches, not only to get the squad down to 32, but to also name that first 15 and match-day 23. Having said that, we are super excited about what lies ahead and we can’t wait to get going."

"We feel the starting 15 we have gone with, plus the replacements we have named are more than capable of getting the result that we need. Scotland are a decent side and it will be a different game now. You can look back at that game in Six Nations but both sides have changed since that game. It is who adapts and reacts best on the day and who reacts to the occasion.

“We hope to hit the ground running and try to capitalize on the chances we make. It’s about taking every chance that comes our way. There are no second chances in what is effectively knock out rugby.”