One change to Scotland Women for France encounter
Scotland Women Head Coach Shade Munro has made one change for this weekend’s match against France on Saturday 11 February (kick-off 9 pm local / 8 pm GMT) – live on Scottish Rugby TV.
Hooker Lana Skeldon returns to the starting XV to replace Rachel Malcolm, who went off the pitch with an ankle injury last Friday.
The remainder of the squad is unchanged as they look to build on their strong opening performance, which saw them hold Ireland to a draw until the last play of the match.
Murrayfield Wanderers full-back Chloe Rollie is set to make her 14th start for Scotland, two years after making her debut against France. The backline is completed by Edinburgh University wings Megan Gaffney and Rhona Lloyd.
Captain Lisa Martin partners up with Lisa Thomson in the midfield, while Helen Nelson returns to stand-off and Sarah Law, who kicked five points against Ireland, is scrum-half.
Following her player of the match performance and first-half brace against the Irish, Hillhead Jordanhill’s Jade Konkel is back in the number 8 jersey, flanked by rising star Louise McMillan at openside and RHC Cougar’s Karen Dunbar at blindside.
Locks Emma Wassell and Deborah McCormack pair up for their 20th consecutive test, while experienced props Tracy Balmer and Lindsey Smith pack down in the front-row with Skeldon.
No changes to the bench see forwards Lucy Park, Heather Lockhart, Katie Dougan, Sarah Bonar and Jemma Forsyth named alongside backs Jenny Maxwell, Lauren Harris and Eilidh Sinclair.
Scotland and France will meet in La Rochelle following losses in the first round of the Women’s Six Nations. Ireland defeated Scotland 22-15 with a last-gasp try at Broadwood and England pulled off a dramatic comeback to defeat last year’s winners 26-13 at Twickenham.
Munro said: “The players stepped up last week and really took it to Ireland for the whole 80 minutes. While we were disappointed to lose to Ireland, the players walked off with confidence and belief that they can compete on this stage.
“Our forwards were immense and defended consistently. We also created opportunities in attack but perhaps didn’t finish them off as we would hope. There are things we need to work on, but overall I’m pleased with the squad’s progress.
“The focus for this week is to build on our performance. We need to sharpen up and do the basics right. The defence will once again be important as France are a physical side and a force to be reckoned, especially with vocal home support behind them.”
Scotland Women team to play France Women at Marcel Deflandre, La Rochelle
Saturday 11 February (kick-off 9 pm local / 8 pm GMT) – live on Scottish Rugby TV
15. Chloe Rollie* (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 13 caps
14. Megan Gaffney (Edinburgh University) – 21 caps
13. Lisa Thomson* (Edinburgh University) – 8 caps
12. Lisa Martin* CAPTAIN (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 33 caps
11. Rhona Lloyd* (Edinburgh University) – 8 caps
10. Helen Nelson* (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 5 caps
9. Sarah Law* (Murrayfield Wanderers/Edinburgh University) – 26 caps
1. Tracy Balmer (Worcester) – 39 caps
2. Lana Skeldon (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 17 caps
3. Lindsey Smith (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 33 caps
4. Emma Wassell* (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 19 caps
5. Deborah McCormack (Aylesford Bulls) – 19 caps
6. Karen Dunbar* (RHC Cougars) – 17 caps
7. Louise McMillan* (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 3 caps
8. Jade Konkel** (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 24 caps
Replacements
16. Lucy Park* (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 2 caps
17. Heather Lockhart (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 85 caps
18. Katie Dougan (Edinburgh University) – 5 caps
19. Sarah Bonar (Lichfield) – 3 caps
20. Jemma Forsyth (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 17 caps
21. Jenny Maxwell (Lichfield) – 11 caps
22. Lauren Harris (Melrose) – 17 caps
23. Eilidh Sinclair* (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 13 caps
* BT Sports Scottish Rugby Academy Stage 2 player 2016/17
** BT Sports Scottish Rugby Academy Stage 3 player 2016/17
Scotland Women 2017 Six Nations Fixtures
Friday 3 February Scotland Women 15 – 22 Ireland Women, Broadwood Stadium
Saturday 11 February France Women v Scotland Women, Marcel Deflandre, La Rochelle (kick-off 9 pm local/8pm GMT)
Friday 24 February Scotland Women v Wales Women, Broadwood Stadium (kick-off 6.30pm)
Saturday 11 March England Women v Scotland Women, TheTwickenham Stoop (kick-off 1 pm)
Friday 17 March Scotland Women v Italy Women, Broadwood Stadium (kick-off 6.30pm)
Tickets to Scotland Women’s home games are available online.
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