Scotland Women players return for Italy

Mar 15 • General News, International • 1019 Views • Comments Off on Scotland Women players return for Italy

Head Coach Shade Munro has made two changes to the starting XV for this Friday’s match against Italy Women (17 March, kick-off 6.20pm) – live on Scottish Rugby TV.

Scotland will host Italy at Broadwood Stadium in the final round of the 2017 Women’s Six Nations, before the U20 Scotland v Italy match kicks-off at 8.30pm.

The Scots are seeking their second win in the Championship following their one-point victory against Wales, while Italy is yet to win a match in this year’s edition.

Edinburgh University prop Katie Dougan is set to earn her first start for Scotland, following eight caps off the bench. The 22-year-old made her debut against Italy in the 2015 Championship and featured as a replacement against Spain last November.

Number 8 Jade Konkel returns to the starting line-up from injury, which saw her miss the England encounter last weekend.

The inclusion of the full-time player forces a reshuffle with Sarah Bonar moving to the bench to make way for an all Hillhead Jordanhill back-row with Jemma Forsyth and Louise McMillan flanking Konkel.

Head Coach Shade Munro said: “We are aiming to end this year’s Six Nations campaign on a positive note with a strong performance against Italy.

“It’s been pleasing to see the squad improve in many aspects, but there is more work to be done to reach our full potential.

“We need a consistent and solid performance at Broadwood as Italy are a very good side and have been improving with every game in the tournament.

“Support from the stands will make a difference and give the players an edge so it would be great to see a big crowd on Friday night.”

Locks Deborah McCormack and Emma Wassell return to the boiler room after featuring in 22 tests together since their debut against Ireland in 2014.

Dougan is joined by the experienced Tracy Balmer and hooker Lana Skeldon, who have a combined 62 caps.

The back-line trio of Chloe Rollie, Megan Gaffney and Rhona Lloyd returns, with centre Lisa Thomson and captain Lisa Martin in the midfield.

Murrayfield Wanderers’ Helen Nelson and Edinburgh University’s Sarah Law retain their stand-off and scrum-half posts for the side’s third home game.

Replacement hooker Rachel Malcolm of Lichfield is also back in the squad having recovered from an injury sustained in the opening match against Ireland. Joining her are experienced props Heather Lockhart and Lindsey Smith, alongside Lyndsay O’Donnell and Sarah Bonar.

Wing Lauren Harris is the only other change to the bench, which is completed by Eilidh Sinclair and Jenny Maxwell.

Scotland Women team to play Italy Women at Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld
Saturday 18 March (kick-off 6.20pm) – live on Scottish Rugby TV

15. Chloe Rollie* (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 16 caps
14. Megan Gaffney (Edinburgh University) – 24 caps
13. Lisa Thomson* (Edinburgh University) – 11 caps
12. Lisa Martin* CAPTAIN (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 36 caps
11. Rhona Lloyd* (Edinburgh University) – 11 caps
10. Helen Nelson* (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 8 caps
9. Sarah Law* (Murrayfield Wanderers/Edinburgh University) – 29 caps

1. Tracy Balmer (Worcester) – 42 caps
2. Lana Skeldon (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 20 caps
3. Katie Dougan (Edinburgh University) – 8 caps
4. Emma Wassell* (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 22 caps
5. Deborah McCormack (Aylesford Bulls) – 22 caps
6. Jemma Forsyth (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 20 caps
7. Louise McMillan* (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 6 caps
8. Jade Konkel** (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 26 caps

Replacements
16. Rachel Malcolm (Lichfield) – 3 caps
17. Heather Lockhart (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 88 caps
18. Lindsey Smith (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 36 caps
19. Sarah Bonar (Lichfield) – 6 caps
20. Lyndsay O’Donnell (Worcester) – 13 caps
21. Jenny Maxwell (Lichfield) – 14 caps
22. Lauren Harris (Melrose) – 18 caps
23. Eilidh Sinclair* (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 15 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 15 – 14 Wales Women, Broadwood Stadium
Saturday 11 March | England Women 64 – 0 Scotland Women, Twickenham Stoop
Friday 17 March | Scotland Women v Italy Women, Broadwood Stadium (kick-off 6.30pm)

Tickets to Scotland Women v Italy Women are available HERE.