SCOTLAND captain Rachel Malcolm is excited about the “new era” under Sione Fukofuka as they prepare for their Women’s Six Nations opener against Wales.

The new head coach has handed Glasgow back-row forward Emily Coubrough a debut in his starting line-up for the Principality Stadium clash, while Shona Campbell and Meryl Smith are making long-awaited international comebacks.

The uncapped Demi Swann, Holland Bogan and Rianna Darroch will also be on the bench in Cardiff.

Malcolm said on the Scottish Rugby YouTube channel: “I’m feeling hugely excited. It’s obviously always the most exciting time of the year for us, the Women’s Six Nations, and to have what is a pretty new-look squad under a new management team truly feels like the start of a new era.

“With the new faces coming in, they’ve come in in brilliant shape and look really promising in all aspects of the game, so I’m super excited for them to get their opportunity.

“As a captain, there’s a responsibility on my shoulders to get us all on the same page, both on and off the pitch, as quickly as we can, but I’m really fortunate that I’ve got a very strong group of leaders and a support system around me that have helped me in that.

“I’ve just been super impressed by the way everyone’s just kind of got with the Scotland way.

“We’ve had a huge amount of fun, even though it’s been pretty full-on, and I think that’s the way that we play our best, when we’ve got a smile on our face and we’re enjoying our time in camp. It’s cool to see that even with this new group, it still feels like the same old Scotland.”

Fukofuka has previously been assistant coach of his native Australia and head coach of the United States in the women’s game.

“Sione’s brilliant to work with,” Malcolm said. “He’s super professional and very well organised in terms of how he runs his day, but also how he runs his attack.

“I think for both myself and the group, we’ve enjoyed having his fresh eyes and fresh ideas come into the programme.

“It’s a challenge for us to take on board everything that he’s brought in, but it’s one that I think the girls have risen to super well and I think he’s pretty happy.

“We’re definitely not going to be the finished article by any means, but I think this tournament is all about how much we can learn and move forward game on game.”