Wales Co-capt Callender Fit For World Cup Opener

Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Scotland v Wales

Venue: Salford Community Stadium Date: Saturday, 23 August Kick-off: 14:45 BST

Coverage: Live connected BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Online, Radio Wales, Radio Cymru and BBC Sounds

Wales co-captain Alex Callender has been passed fresh to look Scotland successful Wales' Rugby World Cup opener connected Saturday.

The influential back-rower had been a uncertainty aft injuring her ankle against Australia earlier this month.

She leads a broadside showing 5 unit and 1 positional move from their 2nd Test conclusion successful Sydney.

Callender joins co-captain Kate Williams and Bethan Lewis successful an unchanged backmost row.

Alaw Pyrs comes successful astatine fastener alongside Gwen Crabb, while Donna Rose and Kelsey Jones are selected successful nan beforehand statement pinch Gwenllian Pyrs.

Lleucu George is preferred astatine 10 to Kayleigh Powell and resumes her half-back business pinch Keira Bevan, while Hannah Dallavalle returns to nan midfield pinch Courtney Keight.

The backline remains unchanged pinch Nel Metcalfe, Jasmine Joyce-Butchers and Lisa Neumann, who will triumph her 50th cap.

Rachel Malcolm will lead Scotland and will beryllium joined successful nan backmost statement by Rachel McLachlan and Evie Gallagher who will make her World Cup debut.

Sarah Bonar returns to nan starting XV to partner Emma Wassell, while successful nan beforehand statement Lana Skeldon – Scotland's astir capped subordinate pinch 81 caps – starts astatine hooker betwixt Leah Bartlett and Elliann Clarke.

Helen Nelson partners Leia Brebner-Holden successful nan half-backs, pinch centres Lisa Thomson and Emma Orr continuing their midfield partnership.

Wingers Rhona Lloyd and Francesca McGhie are joined successful nan backmost 3 by Chloe Rollie.

Scotland: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr,Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie; Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon,Elliann Clarke, Emma Wassell, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (capt), Rachel McLachlan, Evie Gallagher

Replacements: Elis Martin, Molly Wright, Lisa Cockburn, Jade Konkel, Eva Donaldson, Alex Stewart, Caity Mattinson, Beth Blacklock.

Wales: Nel Metcalfe; Lisa Neumann, Hannah Dallavalle, Courtney Keight, Jasmine Joyce-Butchers; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Kelsey Jones, Donna Rose, Alaw Pyrs, Gwen Crabb, Kate Williams (co-capt), Bethan Lewis, Alex Callender (co-capt).

Replacements: Carys Phillips, Maisie Davies, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Abbie Fleming, Georgia Evans, Seren Lockwood, Kayleigh Powell, Carys Cox.