Skeldon's World Cup in doubt after ankle injury against Ireland

Scotland hooker Lana Skeldon might miss the World Cup with injury after she suffered a serious-looking ankle injury in the loss against Ireland.

The 81-cap Bristol Bears forward was hurt trying to make a tackle and received treatment on the field for eight minutes before being taken off on a stretcher.

"She was taken away to hospital just to have a look at it," head coach Bryan Easson told media.

"It was an ankle injury and she's going for an X-ray, so hopefully we'll find out sooner rather than later. But as to what it is, we don't know yet.

An SRU statement post-match wrote that Skeldon "is in good spirits, is undergoing further assessment and remains in good hands with our medical team."

Losing 31-year-old Skeldon would be an enormous blow for Easson as the Borders-born hooker is one of his key players and try-scorers.

Elis Martin has played back-up to Skeldon for the last few seasons, while Molly Wright - who can play across the front row - could also be an option. 21-year-old Aila Ronald is in the wider World Cup squad, but is yet to make her Scotland debut.

Star winger Rhona Lloyd was a late exclusion from the matchday squad to play Ireland, but Easson said it was "precautionary".

"She had a little twinge in her quad during the captain's run on Friday so we felt that it wasn't worth the risk, but it was precautionary," the head coach said.