Ainsworth handed first Scotland start for New Zealand test
Ceitidh Ainsworth will make her first start for Scotland against New Zealand on Saturday.
The Glasgow Warriors back has been picked at scrum-half — the link player who moves the ball away from tackles and rucks (the contest for the ball on the ground) — for the WXV Series match at Hive Stadium, according to BBC Sport. She replaces Rhea Clarke in one of four changes to the starting XV made by interim head coach Dave Butcher.
Kick-off in Edinburgh is at 5.10pm on 19 September. It is Scotland's second game of the home Vodafone Scotland WXV Series, a global women's competition played in separate tiers, and it will be shown live on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer.
The call is a fast promotion. Ainsworth only made her international debut a week ago, coming off the bench — as a replacement — in Scotland's 64-26 defeat by Canada in the series opener.
What makes this stand out is the scale of the test. New Zealand are one of the powerhouses of the women's game. Handing a young half-back her first start against that pressure says plenty about how highly the coaches rate her composure.
There is experience returning alongside her. Harlequins player Sarah Bonar is back in the match-day 23 for the first time since the 2025 Rugby World Cup after injury. She is set to win her 52nd cap — a cap is an international appearance — from the bench, according to BBC Sport.
Butcher has made five changes in total to the squad from the Canada game, as noted by Scottish Rugby. Four of those are in the starting team, with the rest among the replacements.
For fans, this means a fresh look at a key position. Scrum-half sets the tempo. Quick, clean service gives the backs room to move. Slow ball invites pressure. Against New Zealand's speed to the breakdown, Ainsworth will have little time to settle.
Scotland will need that sharpness. Canada ran in tries freely last weekend. New Zealand bring a similar threat out wide and through the middle. A solid set-piece — scrum and lineout, where possession is contested — and disciplined defence will be vital if the hosts are to stay in the fight.
