'Warrior' Wassell helps Scotland amid tumour diagnosis

Vodafone Series: Scotland v Fiji

Venue: Hive Stadium, Edinburgh Date: Saturday 14 September Kick-off: 16:45 BST

Coverage: Watch live on BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website and app

Scotland head coach Bryan Easson says Emma Wassell is the "epitome of a warrior" as she confronts the diagnosis of a tumour in her chest.

The experienced second row will miss Saturday's Test with Fiji and Scotland's defence of their WXV2 title due to the need for surgery.

However, Easson says she is still with the squad as they prepare for the upcoming matches and cited the team's motto 'fight for your family' as relevant amid a turbulent time for Wassell, who lost her mum earlier this year.

“We always want her to be part of the group, no matter what she's going through, no matter what players are going through," Easson said.

"You describe people sometimes as warriors, and you look at what she's gone through this year, prior to what happened a few weeks ago - she's the epitome of a warrior, and just a really good person.”

Easson has made nine alterations for the first ever meeting with Fiji after last week's comprehensive win against Wales.

One of those is Meryl Smith moving from inside centre to fly-half to replace usual starter and kicker Helen Nelson, who is on the bench.

After appearing at her second Olympic Games as part of Great Britain's sevens team, Lisa Thomson makes her return to replace Smith at 12.

In the pack, Anne Young and Elliann Clarke both earn their first Scotland starts at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively, with Lana Skeldon at hooker.

Scotland host Fiji on Saturday at Hive Stadium, live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app, in their final warm-up match before heading to South Africa to defend their WXV2 title.

"It'll be an entertaining game - it's Fiji," Easson said.

"They're a big front five. Their set piece, it's big, but they'll offload. They'll have a go at us so we've planned accordingly."

Scotland: Chloe Rollie, Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Coreen Grant, Meryl Smith, Caity Mattinson; Anne Young, Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke, Louise McMillan, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (capt), Rachel McLachlan, Jade Konkel.

Replacements: Elis Martin, Lisa Cockburn, Christine Belisle, Eva Donaldson, Evie Gallagher, Leia Brebner-Holden, Helen Nelson, Lucia Scott.