Scotland’s Cunningham to miss World Cup

Rugby World Cup warm-up: Ireland v Scotland

Venue: Virgin Media Park, Cork Date: Saturday, 2 August Kick-off: 14:30 BST

Bristol Bears second-row Hollie Cunningham will miss the Women’s Rugby World Cup through injury, Scotland head coach Bryan Easson has revealed.

The revelation came as he handed Edinburgh fly-half Hannah Ramsay a first start in their final warm-up match against Ireland on Saturday.

Cunningham had surgery on a hamstring injury as the 25-year-old’s second cap was cut short seconds into April’s Six Nations match against France.

Ramsay staked her claim when making her debut as a replacement in last week’s defeat by Italy.

Now the 21-year-old will form a fresh half-back partnership with scrum-half Caity Mattinson against Ireland in Cork in two of several changes to the starting line-up that played in Viadana.

Chloe Rollie comes in at full-back, while Lucia Scott moves from full-back to wing.

In the pack, Anne Young and Alex Stewart are selected at loosehead prop and openside flanker respectively, with Rachel McLachlan switching to blindside and captain Rachel Malcolm moving into the second row.

On the bench, centre Beth Blacklock is poised for a first Test cap since the 2023 Six Nations.

Starting XV: Chloe Rollie (Toulon Provence Mediterranee), Rhona Lloyd (Sale Sharks), Emma Orr (Bristol Bears), Lisa Thomson (Trailfinders Women), Lucia Scott (Loughborough Lightning), Hannah Ramsay (Edinburgh Rugby/University of Edinburgh), Caity Mattinson (Trailfinders Women); Anne Young (Loughborough Lightning), Lana Skeldon (Bristol Bears), Elliann Clarke (Bristol Bears), Emma Wassell (Trailfinders Women), Rachel Malcolm, capt (Trailfinders Women), Rachel McLachlan (Montpellier), Alex Stewart (Edinburgh Rugby/Corstorphine Cougars), Evie Gallagher (Bristol Bears).