Photo via BBC Sport

Clarke & Gallagher start for Scotland against Canada

Rhea Clarke has been handed her maiden start at scrum-half as Scotland launch their WXV Series against Canada this Saturday in Edinburgh. The back row sees Evie Gallagher step back onto the field for the first time following the prior year's World Cup, linking up on the flanks with skipper Rachel Malcolm on the blindside, while Becky Boyd completes the unit at number eight.

Out wide, Shona Campbell secures the left wing berth alongside seasoned back-three colleagues Rhona Lloyd and Chloe Rollie. The 16:10 BST encounter is scheduled for live broadcast across BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer.

Interim head coach Dave Butcher has named potential debutants Ceitidh Ainsworth, a Glasgow fly-half, and Exeter full-back Katie Buchanan among the substitutes, with lock Adelle Ferrie also featuring on the bench after stepping into the roster for the injured Alex Stewart. World Cup runners-up Canada boast a dominant head-to-head record, having prevailed in seven out of eight previous clashes with the Scots, a run that features a 40-19 pool-phase triumph last September.

Following Saturday's fixture, Scotland's upcoming tournament schedule will pit them against New Zealand and Australia.