Ainsworth to start for Scotland as Bonar returns to bench

Ceitidh Ainsworth will make her first start for Scotland Women and Sarah Bonar is back on the bench for Saturday’s WXV Series match against New Zealand at Hive Stadium. Ainsworth made her Scotland debut off the bench in last weekend’s 64-26 defeat by Canada.

Ainsworth replaces clubmate Rhea Clarke at scrum-half in one of four changes named by interim head coach Dave Butcher for the WXV Series fixture at Hive Stadium. Glasgow lock Holland Bogan returns to the matchday squad to make her second start. Sale Sharks' Eva Donaldson is included on the openside flank and Glasgow’s Anne Young will start at loosehead prop.

Harlequins' Sarah Bonar is set to earn her 52nd cap from the bench as she returns from injury. Rhea Clarke drops to the bench alongside Sale prop Leah Bartlett. Bristol Bears second row Hollie Cunningham and Glasgow forward Becky Boyd are omitted from the match-day squad.

The starting XV is: Chloe Rollie (Edinburgh Rugby), Rhona Lloyd (Sale Sharks), Rachel Philipps (Edinburgh), Meryl Smith (Bristol Bears), Shona Campbell (Sale Sharks); Helen Nelson (Trailfinders), Ceitidh Ainsworth (Glasgow Warriors); Anne Young (Glasgow Warriors), Lana Skeldon (Bristol Bears), Elliann Clarke (Glasgow Warriors), Emma Wassell (Trailfinders), Holland Bogan (Glasgow Warriors), Rachel Malcolm, capt (Trailfinders), Eva Donaldson (Sale Sharks), Evie Gallagher (Bristol Bears).

Replacements: Aicha Sutcliffe (Glasgow Warriors), Leah Bartlett (Sale Sharks), Molly Poolman (Edinburgh), Sarah Bonar (Harlequins), Adelle Ferrie (Edinburgh), Rhea Clarke (Glasgow Warriors), Hannah Ramsay (Edinburgh), Katie Buchanan (Exeter Chiefs). These eight players complete the match-day bench.

Scotland face the Black Ferns in the WXV Series at Hive Stadium on Saturday.