Bryan Easson has named his team to play Italy on Saturday as Scotland begin their WXV 2 title defence in Cape Town.

Captain Rachel Malcolm will win her 50th cap, almost eight years on from her debut against Spain as Easson makes seven changes from the thumping win over Fiji at Hive Stadium. 

Read more:

Here are five talking points from the team selection.

Meryl Smith preferred to Lisa Thomson

In a recent appearance on the Scotland Rugby News podcast, Easson said he believes Smith's long-term future is at fly-half - and that is the player's preferred position going forward. 

But for now, she's being asked to do a job as a second distributor at inside centre, and for this one, she gets the nod over two-time Olympian Lisa Thomson to wear the number 12 shirt. 

Big opportunity for Fi McIntosh 

The Saracens lock only made her Scotland debut during the Six Nations, but with Emma Wassell unavailable and Louise McMillan - who is on the bench for this match - having been left out of the original squad before replacing Wassell, this is a huge chance for McIntosh to make her case as a starter moving forward.

She is an excellent lineout operator and has plenty of experience beside her with Sarah Bonar fit again after missing most of the Six Nations.

Rachel McLachlan retains openside spot

Alex Stewart was arguably Scotland's find of this year's Six Nations, but the 20-year-old has to make do with a place on the bench in Cape Town as Easson reverts to McLachlan in the number seven jersey.

The Montpellier flanker has been rewarded for an excellent showing against Fiji last time out and she will be keen to make the most of her opportunity. 

Strength in depth

In the not-so-distant past, Scotland would have needed all their best players fit and available to consider challenging at a tournament such as WXV.

But such has been the development of the player pool over Easson's time in charge, he has selected a squad with 50-cap internationals McMillan and Thomson only on the bench and without a place for Jade Konkel, Rhona Lloyd or long-time first-choice loosehead Leah Bartlett.

'Exceptional' Rachel Malcolm set for milestone

Easson was full of praise for the Scotland captain as she prepares to bring up her half-century in Cape Town. 

"She is an exceptional human being on and off the field," he said. 

"Her leadership skills are second to none, but her game against Fiji was the best I've seen Rachel play for Scotland. 

"The work she puts in off the field is undoubted but the most important thing is the work she puts in on the field and she led by example last week.

"It is a brilliant accolade for her to get her 50th cap and we're looking forward to seeing her lead out the group this weekend."

Scotland: Chloe Rollie, Coreen Grant, Emma Orr, Meryl Smith, Francesca McGhie, Helen Nelson, Caity Mattinson; Anne Young, Lana Skeldon, Christine Belisle, Fi McIntosh, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (captain), Rachel McLachlan, Evie Gallagher

Replacements: Elis Martin, Lisa Cockburn, Elliann Clarke, Louise McMillan, Alex Stewart, Leia Brebner-Holden, Lisa Thomson, Lucia Scott