Scotland Women make one change for Wales
Scotland Women Head Coach Shade Munro has made one change to the starting XV for this Friday’s match against Wales (17 February, kick-off 6.20pm) – live on Scottish Rugby TV.
Flanker Jemma Forsyth moves from the bench into the number 6 jersey to replace Karen Dunbar, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the Women’s Six Nations after sustaining a knee injury against France.
Worcester back-row Lyndsay O’Donnell is called up to fill the gap among the replacements having last featured for Scotland Women in the second-leg of the World Cup qualifier against Spain in autumn.
The remainder of the squad is unchanged as they look to lift their performance against Wales in the third round of the Championship.
Head Coach, Shade Munro, said: “We had a strong performance against Ireland in our opening match and a lot of good things were achieved, from which the players can take great pride from. Unfortunately, we were unable to build on those positives against a very physical French team.
“The players are a tight-knit group and are determined to keep improving together. As a squad, we remain focused and determined on making progress in this campaign and competing hard against all opposition.
“Wales pose a different challenge but one we are familiar with, having played them last October in a friendly as part of our increased training and game schedule.
“Home advantage will be key and I know the noise from the crowd during the Ireland game really lifted the players, so it would be great to see more supporters in the stands at Broadwood Stadium this Friday.”
The Scottish backline features Murrayfield Wanderers full-back Chloe Rollie and Edinburgh University wingers Megan Gaffney and Rhona Lloyd.
In the midfield, Lisa Thomson, aged 19, teams up with captain Lisa Martin, who is set to earn her 35th cap. Murrayfield Wanderer’s half-backs Helen Nelson and Sarah Law will return to stand-off and scrum-half respectively.
Hillhead Jordanhill’s Lana Skeldon remains at hooker and is joined by clubmate Lindsey Smith and Worcester prop Tracy Balmer in the front-row.
The second-row is filled once again by Deborah McCormack and Emma Wassell, who both made their debuts in the 2014 Championship.
The back-row is made up of Hillhead Jordanhill players with number 8 Jade Konkel flanked by Louise McMillan and Jemma Forsyth.
On the bench, Lucy Park, Heather Lockhart and Katie Dougan provide front-row cover. They are joined by second-row Sarah Bonar and back-row Lyndsay O’Donnell. Backs Jenny Maxwell, Lauren Harris and Eilidh Sinclair make up the remainder of the replacements.
Both Scotland and Wales will be hungry for the win following second round losses in the Women’s Six Nations.
Wales opened their campaign with a win against Italy (8-20) but lost to England the following week (0-63), while Scotland lost their opener against Ireland (15-22) and was defeated by France (55-0).
All Scotland Women’s home games will be live streamed on Scottish Rugby TV HERE.
Highlights from the third weekend of the Women’s Six Nations will be shown on BBC Two on Sunday evening and are available online.
Scotland Women kick-off before Scotland U20 take on Wales U20 at 8.30pm. Adult tickets are £10 (valid for both matches) and available HERE. Senior citizens, U18s and Scotland Season Pass holders go free.
Scotland Women team to play Wales Women at Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld
Friday 17 February (kick-off 6.20pm) – live on Scottish Rugby TV
15. Chloe Rollie* (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 14 caps
14. Megan Gaffney (Edinburgh University) – 22 caps
13. Lisa Thomson* (Edinburgh University) – 9 caps
12. Lisa Martin* CAPTAIN (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 34 caps
11. Rhona Lloyd* (Edinburgh University) – 9 caps
10. Helen Nelson* (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 6 caps
9. Sarah Law* (Murrayfield Wanderers/Edinburgh University) – 27 caps
1. Tracy Balmer (Worcester) – 40 caps
2. Lana Skeldon (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 18 caps
3. Lindsey Smith (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 34 caps
4. Emma Wassell* (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 20 caps
5. Deborah McCormack (Aylesford Bulls) – 20 caps
6. Jemma Forsyth (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 18 caps
7. Louise McMillan* (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 4 caps
8. Jade Konkel** (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 25 caps
Replacements
16. Lucy Park* (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 3 cap
17. Heather Lockhart (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 86 caps
18. Katie Dougan (Edinburgh University) – 6 caps
19. Sarah Bonar (Lichfield) – 4 caps
20. Lyndsay O’Donnell (Worcester) – 11 caps
21. Jenny Maxwell (Lichfield) – 12 caps
22. Eilidh Sinclair* (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 14 caps
23. Lauren Harris (Melrose) – 18 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 55 – 0 Scotland Women, Marcel Deflandre, La Rochelle
Friday 24 February | Scotland Women v Wales Women, Broadwood Stadium (kick-off 6.20pm)
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 HERE.
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