Injury rules Sinclair out of World Cup

By Mark Stevens
14/10/22

Scotland Rugby have today confirmed Eilidh Sinclair has been ruled out of the remainder of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand due to injury.

The Exeter Chiefs player injured her elbow in Scotland’s narrow Pool A defeat to Wales in Whangarei.

Sinclair had only been on the field a matter of minutes when the injury occurred, but having been checked over by Scotland’s medical team in the aftermath, she is now being forced to return home from the tournament.

Scotland, who lost their opening fixture 18-15, have their second fixture tomorrow when they tackle Australia at the Northland Events Centre in Whangarei.

Head coach Bryan Easson has made three alterations to his starting line-up with Rachel McLachlan and Emma Orr return to the fold at open-side flanker and outside centre respectively, while there is one positional change as Hannah Smith moves to the left wing.

Easson said: “We haven’t faced Australia before so it’s going to be a different contest to last weekend. With a six-day turnaround, we’ve had a greater focus on analysis than usual and it’s been important that the players recover and reset ahead of this Saturday.

“It’s great to have Rachel McLachlan and Emma Orr available for selection again. Australia have an abrasive back-row and we know that Rachel brings physicality to her game, while Emma really impressed us throughout the Women’s Six Nations after making her debut earlier this year.

“It was excellent to see some travelling support here in Whangarei last weekend and I know that the support from back home has also been outstanding.”