Scotland centre Emma Orr will make her debut for Edinburgh tomorrow after missing out on last week’s victory against Glasgow due to illness. The 20-year-old is one of three changes to the team to face Ireland’s Wolfhounds in the second round of the Celtic Challenge, with her Scotland team-mate Panashe Muzambe and Molly Poolman coming into the front row.
International scrum-half Jenny Maxwell continues her return from a long-term injury by again playing from the start, and is expected to get longer than the 20-minute stint she had in the 28-12 win against the Warriors. Coach Claire Cruikshank was satisfied with some aspects of that win but believes the team will have to step up this afternoon.
“We’re definitely going to have to be a little bit more physical this week,” she said. “The Wolfhounds have got a lot more players with international experience. We’ve got to be ready to front up.”
Glasgow coach Chris Laidlaw has made six changes to his team to play Gwalia Lightning in Cardiff tomorrow, including promoting Scotland No 9 Mairi McDonald to the starting line-up. Kiyomi Honjigawa and Pearl Kellie make their first starts at full-back and left wing respectively, while Demi Swann, Alex Love and Ellie Williamson come into the pack, with the latter replacing Louise McMillan, who has been recalled by Saracens.
Edinburgh (v Wolfhounds at Hive Stadium, today [Sat] 2pm): R Philipps; H Walker, E Orr, B McNamara, C Bell; S Denholm (captain), J Maxwell; P Muzambe, N Haynes, M Poolman, F McIntosh, N Logan, G Bell, A Stewart, M Gunderson. Replacements: M Whitehouse, P Fletcher, K Lindsay, A Ferrie, F Walker, L Brebner-Holden, N Marlow, N Flynn.
Glasgow Warriors (v Gwalia Lightning at Cardiff Arms Park, tomorrow [Sun] 1.30pm): K Honjigawa; S Phimister, C McLaren, L MacRae, P Kellie; C Ainsworth, M McDonald; D Swann, N Simpson, E Fleming, E Turner, E Williamson, H Bogan, L Winter, A Love. Replacements: K Craig, A Tucker, C Brown, S Anderson, I Hannah, R Clark, C McDonald, G Chicot.
