Lloyd to make first Edinburgh start

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Edinburgh's Rhonna Lloyd in action during a Celtic Challenge match between Edinburgh Rugby and Wolfhounds at the Hive Stadium, on February 17, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Simon Wootton / SNS Group)

Scotland and GB sevens flyer Rhona Lloyd moves into the starting line-up as one of six changes to the XV that drew with Wolfhounds a fortnight ago, making her first start for her childhood club.

Wolfhounds claimed the Celtic Challenge title last weekend against Clovers, meaning Edinburgh are guaranteed to finish second after an impressive campaign.

Lloyd is joined in the back three by fullback Nicole Marlow and Edinburgh’s joint top try scoring winger Cieron Bell – whose five scores earned her a spot in Scotland’s training squad for the upcoming Women’s Six Nations.

Nicole Flynn – also included in the Scotland squad – shifts to outside centre, with Emma Orr unavailable due to injury. Flynn, 18, will be joined in the centres by Watsonian FC star Briar McNamara.

Captain Sarah Denholm wears the number 10 jersey as she has done in every match thus far, joined in the halves by Leia Brebner-Holden – a further Edinburgh player picked in Bryan Easson’s Six Nations Squad.

Cruikshank has rung the changes in the front row, with Poppy Fletcher and Molly Poolman moving into the starting line up at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively, with hooker Aila Ronald earning her first start for the capital.

In the middle row, Corstorphine Cougars’ Adelle Ferrie packs down with Natasha Logan, the duo having started in the side’s previous encounter against the Clovers.

The back row features two further Scotland call ups in Merryn Gunderson and vice-captain Alex Stewart on the flanks, with Watsonian FC’s Freya Walker once again at number eight.

On the encounter, Cruikshank said: “We’d have obviously preferred to be coming into this game playing for the title, however we’re still incredibly proud of the progress this team has made.

“It should be another tough match against the Clovers, and we’re excited to try and end the tournament on a high.”

Edinburgh will have two debutants from the bench if called upon, with loosehead prop Alison Wilson and lock Lucy Kidd in line for their first capital appearances.

Edinburgh Rugby side to face the Irish Clovers at Parc y Scarlets (Sunday, 12.30pm kick-off) – live on RugbyPassTV

15. Nicole Marlow (Cardiff Met)**

14. Rhona Lloyd (GB Sevens)
13. Nicole Flynn (University of Edinburgh)*
12. Briar McNamara (Watsonian FC)
11. Cieron Bell (University of Edinburgh)*

10. Sarah Denholm CAPTAIN (University of Edinburgh)*
9. Leia Brebner-Holden (Gloucester Hartpury & Cheltenham Tigers)**

1. Poppy Fletcher (University of Edinburgh)*
2. Aila Ronald (University of Edinburgh)*
3. Molly Poolman (Watsonian FC)*
4. Adelle Ferrie (Corstorphine Cougars)
5. Natasha Logan (University of Edinburgh)*
6. Merryn Gunderson (Corstorphine Cougars)
7. Alex Stewart VICE-CAPTAIN (Corstorphine Cougars)*
8. Freya Walker (Watsonian FC)

Replacements

16. Nicola Haynes (Saracens)**
17. Alison Wilson (Heriot’s Blues)
18. Katie Lindsay (Corstorphine Cougars)*
19. Lucy Kidd (Corstorphine Cougars)
20. Sam Taganekurukuru (Stirling County)
21. Zoe Turner (Corstorphine Cougars)
22. Hannah Ramsay (Corstorphine Cougars)
23. Hannah Walker (University of Edinburgh)*

*Scottish Rugby Regional Training Centre supported players
** Transitional SQ Player