Injury Blow for Scotland: Lana Skeldon's World Cup Hopes in Jeopardy After Warm-Up Defeat
Scotland's Lana Skeldon suffers a serious injury in a warm-up defeat to Ireland, casting doubt on her participation in the Women's Rugby World Cup.

Scotland's preparations for the Women's Rugby World Cup took a significant hit as hooker Lana Skeldon was stretchered off during a warm-up match against Ireland in Cork. The 81-cap Bristol forward sustained a serious-looking injury in the first half, disrupting Scotland's momentum in a match that ended 27-21 in favor of Ireland.
Match Highlights:
- Early Lead: Scotland initially led 14-0, thanks to tries from Lisa Thomson and Lucia Scott.
- Injury Impact: Skeldon's injury at the 32-minute mark shifted the game's dynamics.
- Ireland's Comeback: Ireland capitalized on the disruption, with tries from Sadhbh McGrath and Meabh Deely narrowing the gap to just two points by halftime.
- Second Half Turnaround: Ireland completed their comeback with tries from Nancy McGillivray and Niamh O'Dowd, securing a narrow victory.
World Cup Implications: With the World Cup just weeks away, Scotland faces uncertainty over Skeldon's availability. The team will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to face Wales in their Pool B opener.
Key Statistics:
- Possession: Ireland 55% - 45% Scotland
- Tackles Made: Ireland 120 - 110 Scotland
- Lineouts Won: Ireland 8 - 6 Scotland
Looking Ahead: Scotland will be hoping for positive news on Skeldon's condition as they aim to bounce back from this setback. Ireland, on the other hand, will look to carry this momentum into their World Cup campaign, starting against Japan on August 24.