Glasgow Warriors back‑rower Emily Coubrough will earn her first cap for Scotland in Saturday’s Six Nations opener against Wales at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. The appointment comes as head coach Sione Fukofuka’s inaugural match in charge sees four uncapped players in the squad. Coubrough, 23, steps in for the injured Evie Gallagher and joins a side reshaped by recent retirements today.

Scotland entered the match with a truncated squad: key players Anne Young, Sarah Bonar, Lisa Thomson and Fran McGhie are sidelined, while Evie Gallagher remains unavailable. The back row features captain Rachel Malcolm, Alex Stewart and the debutant Coubrough, flanked by seasoned hooker Lana Skeldon and props Leah Bartlett, Elliann Clarke. The front row also contains Emma Wassell and Hollie Cunningham for the mid season campaign.

Wales, riding a strong pool performance, hopes to assert dominance early, while Scotland seeks to prove the transition plan is working. With the debut of Coubrough and a mix of veterans, the match will test Fukofuka’s strategy and the squad’s resilience. A victory would cement Scotland’s status as a serious contender for the upcoming season in Europe.