Uncapped Scots backline face France
As Scotland Women prepare to open their 2015 6 Nations campaign against France this weekend, head coach Jules Maxton has included four new caps in the starting XV that will take the field in Nantes (Saturday 7 February, k/o 1pm GMT, live on France4).
Published by John Birch, February 3rd, 2015
3 minute read
Jenny Maxwell, Abi Evans and Chloe Rollie have progressed through Scotland age grade sides while Nuala Deans has already been capped for her country in cricket and football.Taking the right-wing berth is Maxwell, who was capped for Scotland Women 7s in June 2013, while on the left wing is Evans – currently included in the Scotland Women, Women U20 and Women 7s squads – who hails from Oban.
Melrose's Rollie, who scored a fine individual try in last year's Sarah Beany Cup final, comes in at outside centre while Deans, a former head girl at Edinburgh's Royal High School, makes her international rugby debut at inside centre, after being capped by Scotland at football (under-17) and cricket (under-21 when she was 13).Head coach Jules Maxton said: "We've got an exciting young back line with three players who have progressed through our under-20 programme to make their first full national appearances this coming Saturday
"We've just completed a really productive training weekend with the full squad which gave the players a last chance to put their hat in the ring for this opening fixture and we're all really looking forward to getting the 6 Nations competition underway now.”
The team is captained again by Worcester tighthead Tracy Balmer, the front row completed by 71-capped Heather Lockhart at loosehead and Melrose hooker Lana Skeldon.
Both locks, Deborah McCormack and Emma Wassell, made their Scotland debuts in the 2014 6 Nations opener against Ireland while on the blindside, Karen Dunbar won her first cap later in that campaign, against Italy.Completing the pack is Alloa Academy former pupil Lyndsay O'Donnell, at openside, and another graduate of the under-20 programme, Jade Konkel, who came off the bench against England to make her Scotland debut in 2013.The Murrayfield Wanderers half-back pairing of Lisa Martin at stand-off and scrum-half Sarah Law alongside Melrose fullback Gillian Inglis make up the XV.
Following Saturday's opening match, the Scots then meet Wales (Saturday 14 February, k/o 5pm) in the first home fixture of the season at the squad's new base of Broadwood Stadium, by Cumbernauld. Tickets for all Scotland's home matches are available online at www.scottishrugby.org priced at £5 (adults) with concessions free.
Scotland Women team v France Women, Saturday 7 February, k/o 2pm (local) (1pm GMT), Stade Henri Desgrange, nr Nantes