Key players expected to miss Scotland vs France in Women's Six Nations

The pair were injury casualties of the 20-18 win over Wales in round one of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations in Cardiff.  

Bristol Bears hooker Skeldon went off with a head injury while Harlequins lock Bonar suffered an arm injury.  

While assistant coach Tyrone Holmes did not rule the pair out of the meeting with world number three France in Edinburgh, he said they are preparing without them.  

He said: “They are still being assessed just now and we will have a clearer picture by Thursday.  

“We need everyone up to speed so we are a squad of 30 just now here and everyone has a job to do and when we get better information, clearer information we can make better decisions." 

If Skeldon is ruled out, Molly Wright – who came off the bench at loosehead prop against Wales - would likely deputise for Elis Martin at hooker.  

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“Once we get clearer info on Lana we can look to make the shift, but we do have Molly who can play hooker and play it very well and we do have cover for the propping sides too. 

“We will do right by her first before we do what is right by us. It is important that we look after her and if she is not 100% then we have people behind her who we back to do a good job."  

Holmes is also hopeful back-row Rachel McLachlan – a late withdrawal from the squad that was originally named to play Wales – may return this week.  

“She is definitely one of the ones we are looking to get back, then we will make a selection.  

“I thought the girls that went out against Wales did really well and at the moment we will get better information on Rachel and go from there.” 

Scotland were 17-6 ahead against Wales before the hosts mounted a spirited late comeback, and came within a missed conversion from Lleucu George of salvaging a draw.  

That Scotland found a way to cling on to victory – their seventh in a row in all competitions – was pleasing to Holmes, who admitted that was a fixture they may have lost in years gone by.  

He said: “We were very proud of the effort they put in, 2-3 years ago that is potentially a game we lose.  

“Now it’s not, we ground things out.” 

But he knows their performance will need to go up several levels if they are to compete with France – who started their Six Nations with victory over Ireland.  

“It shows huge character and togetherness that we can make as many mistakes as we did and still ground out the win,” he added.  

“The group are tight and they believe, if we can be more clinical then we can cause teams even more problems. 

Many currently involved with Scotland – both players and coaches – were involved when Scotland drew with the French 16-all at Scotstoun four years ago.  

Holmes believes the players can take great belief from that match.  

“We definitely take confidence from it,” he added.  

“We defended really well that day. This weekend it’ll be no different, France are a very good outfit, we know that, you don’t consistently be [number] two or three in the world for nothing.” 

Scotland’s defence is an area they’ve improved massively during Holmes’ time with the squad, and he believes a new-found confidence among the players has made a difference.  

“They are definitely confident and the time together helps, but the group has been together a while, so our systems and processes are becoming more natural.  

“The togetherness in the group and getting them to fight for each other helps. 

 You can have the best systems in the world, but if players don’t want to put their bodies on the line, you aren’t going to get the outcomes you want. 

“The fact they want to put their bodies on the line for each other is what is important. They definitely did that against Wales and against France they will have to.” 

Holmes said Saturday’s match is a “huge opportunity” to compete with one of the best teams in the world.  

He added: “The team are feeling confident, they are on a good run, if we can be clinical with our attack and decisive and abrasive with our defence then I don’t see why we can’t compete this weekend.”