Skeldon out as Scotland make further changes
Scotland's visit to Ravenhill, Belfast, will be shown on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website, with a 14:30 BST kick-off
- Published
Lana Skeldon will miss Scotland's final Women's Six Nations match away to Ireland after picking up an injury, with Elis Martin taking over at hooker.
Skeldon scored a try in last weekend's 17-10 win in Italy.
Head coach Bryan Easson makes an additional change to the line-up he named on Thursday, with Leah Bartlett starting at loosehead prop and Molly Wright moving to the bench, with Lisa Cockburn take up Martin's place on the bench.
Meryl Smith replaces the suspended Chloe Rollie at full-back following the win in Parma, while winger Coreen Grant takes over from Rhona Lloyd, who is on Great Britain Sevens duty.
Lock Emma Wassell returns after missing the past two matches following the death of her mother, with Eva Donaldson dropping to the bench.
The Scots are chasing a best finish since 2005.
"It’s a mark of the woman, she’s come back and trained well," said head coach Bryan Easson of Wassell. "They’re a very close group and she wanted to be around.
"It’s been tough for her but we're just delighted to see her back and good to see her smiling even though inside it will be hard work."
There are two uncapped players on the visitors' bench in wing Cieron Bell and centre Nicole Flynn.
If Scotland can hold on to third place in the table, it would secure a place in WXV1 and put an early seal on qualification for next year’s World Cup.
Ireland trail the Scots by two points with their sole success coming against Wales.
Scotland beat Italy after opening the tournament with victory in Cardiff.
Scotland were 36-10 winners over the Irish in Edinburgh last year, but lost 15-14 in Belfast in 2022.
Easson described Ireland as "combative" with "some really good ball carriers".
"We know exactly where those threats will come from but also what opportunities that gives us," he said.
Scotland: Smith, Grant, Orr, Thomson, McGhie, Nelson, Mattinson; Bartlett, Martin, Belisle, Wassell, McMillan, Malcolm (capt), Stewart, Gallagher.
Replacements: Wright, Cockburn, Clarke, Donaldson, McLachlan, McDonald, Bell, Flynn.