Bryan Easson, the Scotland head coach, conveyed that a profound “admiration” for Fiji and their potential threats – alongside a strong will to sustain their upward trajectory – influenced his decision to implement just a solitary, injury-related alteration to his initial fifteen players for the forthcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool B face-off between the two national sides.
The Scottish team progresses into their second match within the group phase, buoyed by a noteworthy 38-8 triumph, complete with a bonus point, achieved against Wales in Manchester. Conversely, Fiji approaches the encounter after a substantial 65-7 setback against Canada in York.
A separation of ten positions exists in the global rankings between the competing teams, with the sixth-ranked team confronting the sixteenth-ranked one. Further, Scotland previously overcame Fiji with a 59-15 score in Edinburgh during the preceding September. Consequently, indicators predominantly suggest a victory for Scotland as they aim to maintain their advancement towards the quarter-finals.
However, Easson is ascribing equivalent significance to this particular match as he did to the confrontation with Wales, and as he intends to do for the forthcoming match against Canada.
Concerning the composition of the starting fifteen, the single modification involves Elis Martin assuming the role of hooker, substituting for the injured Lana Skeldon.
Loosehead prop Anne Young and second-row Adelle Ferrie are slated to join the substitutes’ bench, while Molly Wright transitions to the number 16 jersey to provide cover for the hooker position, and Jade Konkel remains unavailable due to injury.
“I hold considerable regard for Fiji; they are a competent team,” Easson articulated during the squad announcement on Thursday. “We have been meticulously observing them, and we must approach Fiji with the same respect we accorded Wales. This has been our guiding principle throughout the week, maintaining a concentrated approach during training.”
“We deliberated on the possibility of implementing further alterations, but considering our performance last week, the momentum we have sustained throughout the week, and the quality of our training sessions, it seemed logical to maintain minimal changes.”
“We have been able to assess the fitness levels of each player and manage their individual needs. As coaches, we derive significant insight from the players’ recovery following the Wales match, spanning from Sunday to Monday. Following a significant match, particularly a significant victory, it is often challenging to elevate the intensity during a Tuesday training session. However, the players demonstrated excellence.”
“This exemplifies the current mindset of our group, characterized by a relentless pursuit of improvement.”
“The players recognize that we are capable of exceeding our performance against Wales, and we aspire to continue building momentum as we progress.”
Fixture
Women’s Rugby World Cup
Scotland Women
Fiji Women
Elis Martin, the 26-year-old hooker from Loughborough Lightning, boasts 23 international caps and participated in the previous World Cup. However, the upcoming match against Fiji will mark only her third occasion as a starting player for her nation.
Prior to the commencement of the tournament, she faced uncertainty regarding her participation due to a foot injury. Nevertheless, she successfully recovered and delivered an exceptional performance off the bench against Wales.
Captain Rachel Malcolm commented: “I hold a particular fondness for Elis due to her remarkable journey over the past four or five years.”
“She is someone who has successfully overcome a significant injury sustained early in her career. She intermittently attended training camps for a period before being unexpectedly included in the World Cup squad last time due to an injury, although she did not participate in any matches.”
“Since then, she has evolved into a pivotal figure within the squad, both on and off the field. Witnessing her current success is deeply inspiring to me, given her unwavering dedication.”
“Elis is an individual who has genuinely committed herself both on and off the pitch, and I believe that her influence on the group, through the happiness and personality she brings, is something we all appreciate.”
Around this time last year, Adelle Ferrie, aged 27, was actively engaged in club rugby while maintaining full-time employment.
She now holds six Scotland caps, having been selected for the Six Nations, and her seventh cap may materialize from the substitutes’ bench against Fiji, marking her potential World Cup debut.
“I suspect Adelle may be tiring of my constant guidance over the past several months, but my intention is solely to facilitate her improvement and showcase her capabilities, which she is currently demonstrating,” Malcolm remarked regarding the Corstorphine Cougars and Edinburgh Rugby second-row player.
“She is notably more experienced than some of our recent first-time capped players, and I believe this maturity is evident.”
“She has invested the necessary effort and undeniably deserves her position. In my opinion, she is one of the most outstanding physical specimens we have produced in recent times.”
“Her strength, power, speed, and ability to jump and lift in the lineout have introduced a new dimension to our team, and as she continues to develop her understanding of the game, she will undoubtedly become a key performer for us.”
Following the positive outcome against Wales, the enthusiasm surrounding the Scotland squad has intensified significantly back home. It now rests upon Malcolm, Martin, Ferrie, and their teammates to demonstrate their capacity to string together consistent positive performances and achieve favorable results.
Scotland team selected to compete against Fiji:
15. Chloe Rollie
14. Rhona Lloyd
13. Emma Orr
12. Lisa Thomson
11. Francesca McGhie
10. Helen Nelson
9. Leia Brebner-Holden
1. Leah Bartlett
) 2. Elis Martin
3. Elliann Clarke
4. Emma Wassell
5. Sarah Bonar
6. Rachel Malcolm
7. Rachel McLachlan
8. Evie Gallagher
Replacements
16. Molly Wright
17. Anne Young
18. Lisa Cockburn
19. Adelle Ferrie
20. Eva Donaldson
21. Alex Stewart
22. Caity Mattinson
23. Beth Blacklock
