Cunningham to make Scotland debut in Wales opener

Hollie Cunningham is poised for her Scotland debut aged 25

Women's Six Nations: Scotland v Wales

Venue: The Hive Stadium, Edinburgh Date: Saturday, 22 March Kick-off: 16:45 GMT

Coverage: Watch live on BBC One Wales, BBC Two Scotland, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport online and listen on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru

Bristol Bears second row Hollie Cunningham has completed her switch of allegiance from England to Scotland as she is handed her debut in Bryan Easson's side for their Women's Six Nations opener at home to Wales on Saturday.

Club-mate Ellianne Clarke and fellow prop Anne Young, of Loughborough Lightning, will make their first Six Nations starts.

Edinburgh Rugby/Corstorphine Cougars second row Adelle Ferrie should make her debut after being named among the replacements.

And, after recovering from a cruciate ligament injury, Leicester Tigers fly-half Evie Wills is in line for her first international appearance in three years after also being listed on the bench.

Cunningham has represented England at Under-18 and Under-20 levels but qualifies for Scotland through her grandmother and Easson revealed: "We have had our eye on her for a little while.

"It is great to see somebody new coming in who drives standards.

"She is experienced, she has been involved with England at under-20, she was involved in their Six Nations squad last year as well, but as soon as I spoke to her, she has been desperate, she has been really excited to be involved in the group and she has fitted in really well."

Scotland and Wales have been drawn in the same pool for this summer's World Cup and Saturday's game is a bit of a step into the unknown given that the visitors have a new head coach after recruiting Sean Lynn from Gloucester-Hartpury.

"There is always a new coach bounce, there is always the excitement of a new coach coming in, but I will be honest, there is a big difference between club rugby and international rugby," Easson said.

"Sean is a good guy, he has done really well at Gloucester and congratulations on that, but this week has been important for us to concentrate more on ourselves than it is the opposition."

Easson is rejecting any suggestion it is a chance to lay down a bit of marker, or gain a psychological edge, over the Welsh for the World Cup.

"I think you have got to respect the Six Nations as the tournament that it is," he said. "It is the best tournament in the world annually and you have to respect Wales in this game because they have got a new coach and they have got new players as well.

"So three, four, five months' time, whatever it is, it could be a different team you are looking at, different styles."

Easson has opted for a split of six forwards and just two backs on the bench.

"I think the 6-2 split for us is exciting to be able to do it - we have got the players to be able to do it now," he added.

Scotland team to face Wales

Starting XV: Chloe Rollie (Trailfinders), Rhona Lloyd (Les Lionnes du Stade Bordelais) , Emma Orr (Bristol Bears), Lisa Thomson (Trailfinders), Francesca McGhie (Leicester Tigers), Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning), Leia Brebner-Holden (Loughborough Lightning); Anne Young (Loughborough Lightning), Lana Skeldon (Bristol Bears), Elliann Clarke (Bristol Bears), Hollie Cunningham (Bristol Bears), Sarah Bonar (Harlequins), Rachel Malcolm, captain (Unattached), Rachel McLachlan (Montpellier), Evie Gallagher (Bristol Bears).

Replacements: Elis Martin (Loughborough Lightning), Leah Bartlett (Leicester Tigers), Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning), Adelle Ferrie (Edinburgh Rugby/Corstorphine Cougars), Alex Stewart (Edinburgh Rugby/Corstorphine Cougars), Jade Konkel (Harlequins), Caity Mattinson (Trailfinders), Evie Wills (Leicester Tigers).