Ainsworth earns first Scotland start as Bonar returns for New Zealand match
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 17, 2026, 12:41 PM
Last updated Sep 17, 2026
Scrum-half Ceitidh Ainsworth will make her first start for Scotland Women during their match against New Zealand on Saturday. Ainsworth replaces Rhea Clarke in the lineup after debuting last week against Canada. Experienced lock Sarah Bonar returns to the match-day squad for the first time since the 2025 Rugby World Cup. She will start from the bench. Interim head coach Dave Butcher has made four changes to the side following last weekend’s defeat. The match will take place at Hive Stadium.
- •Ainsworth replaces Clarke as starting scrum-half for Scotland.
- •Bonar makes her return to the match-day squad after injury.
- •Scotland faces New Zealand at Hive Stadium on Saturday.
- •Three other changes have been made to the starting lineup.
- 12:41 PMYahoo Sports — Ainsworth makes first Scotland start as Bonar returns on bench
- 12:36 PMBBC Sport — Ainsworth makes first Scotland start as Bonar returns on bench
"Scrum-half Ceitidh Ainsworth will make her first start for Scotland Women, while lock Sarah Bonar makes the match-day squad for the first time since the 2025 Rugby World Cup, for Saturday's visit by New Zealand.
"Scrum-half Ceitidh Ainsworth will make her first start for Scotland Women, while lock Sarah Bonar makes the match-day squad for the first time since the 2025 Rugby World Cup, for Saturday's visit by New Zealand.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 17, 2026, 12:41 PMAinsworth makes first Scotland start as Bonar returns on bench
Scrum-half Ceitidh Ainsworth will make her first start for Scotland Women, while lock Sarah Bonar makes the match-day squad for the first time since the 2025 Rugby World Cup, for Saturday's visit by New Zealand.
- BBC SportSep 17, 2026, 12:36 PMAinsworth makes first Scotland start as Bonar returns on bench
Scrum-half Ceitidh Ainsworth will make her first start for Scotland Women, while lock Sarah Bonar makes the match-day squad for the first time since the 2025 Rugby World Cup, for Saturday's visit by New Zealand.
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