Women’s Six Nations: Scotland’s Hollie Cunningham makes debut against Wales

Cunningham has represented England at Under-18 and Under-20 levels but qualifies for Scotland through her grandmother and Easson revealed: “We have had our eye on her for a little while.

“It is great to see somebody new coming in who drives standards.

“She is experienced, she has been involved with England at under-20, she was involved in their Six Nations squad last year as well, but as soon as I spoke to her, she has been desperate, she has been really excited to be involved in the group and she has fitted in really well.”

Scotland and Wales have been drawn in the same pool for this summer’s World Cup and Saturday’s game is a bit of a step into the unknown given that the visitors have a new head coach after recruiting Sean Lynn from Gloucester-Hartpury.

“There is always a new coach bounce, there is always the excitement of a new coach coming in, but I will be honest, there is a big difference between club rugby and international rugby,” Easson said.

“Sean is a good guy, he has done really well at Gloucester and congratulations on that, but this week has been important for us to concentrate more on ourselves than it is the opposition.”

Easson is rejecting any suggestion it is a chance to lay down a bit of marker, or gain a psychological edge, over the Welsh for the World Cup.

“I think you have got to respect the Six Nations as the tournament that it is,” he said. “It is the best tournament in the world annually and you have to respect Wales in this game because they have got a new coach and they have got new players as well.

“So three, four, five months’ time, whatever it is, it could be a different team you are looking at, different styles.”

Easson has opted for a split of six forwards and just two backs on the bench.

“I think the 6-2 split for us is exciting to be able to do it – we have got the players to be able to do it now,” he added.