Scotland make five changes for Women's Six Nations trip to Italy as duo handed first starts

Prop Demi Swann and centre Lucia Scott take up places in the starting XV for the first time while Eva Donaldson, Rachel McLachlan and Francesca McGhie also come in. Sione Fukofuka is without Rhona Lloyd and Emily Coubrough through concussion protocols while Evie Wills is absent due to an arm injury.

Swann will start at loosehead prop and is joined in the front row with hooker Lana Skeldon and Elliann Clarke at tighthead. For the third consecutive game, Hollie Cunningham and Emma Wasell continue their partnership in the second row while captain Rachel Malcolm will lead in the number 8 shirt with Donaldson and McLachlan at blindside and openside flanker respectively.

Leia Brebner-Holden at scrum half and vice captain Helen Nelson are the half backs with Scott at outside centre partnering Meryl Smith in the 12 jersey. McGhie will start on the wing, opposite Shona Campbell on the other side and Chloe Rollie who rounds out the XV at full back.

Fukofuka has opted for a six-two split on the bench with hooker Elis Martin, props Leah Bartlett and Molly Poolman the front row replacement options. Holland Bogan, Louise McMillan and Alex Stewart will cover the loose five berths. Fresh from making her debut at Scottish Gas Murrayfield last weekend, scrum-half Rianna Darroch takes her place on the bench alongside fellow back Rachel Phillips, who is named in her first matchday squad in this year’s Women’s Six nations.

How to watch Italy vs Scotland Women’s Six Nations - date, kick off time and TV channel

Scotland face Italy in the third round of the 2026 Women’s Six Nations at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma on Saturday, April 25. The match is scheduled for a 4:30pm (BST) kick off time. Rugby fans can watch the match live via the BBC on the BBC Iplayer app.

Sione Fukofuka’s side head are aiming to bounce back from their 84-7 defeat to England at Murrayfield last weekend. A win in Italy would be their second of this year’s competition, having beaten Wales 24-19 at the Principality Stadium in Round One.

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