Scotland build up to new season

A mixture of experience – 70-times capped prop Heather Lockhart – and youth – in 18-year-old Abi Evans, who captained Scotland 7s girls in the recent Sainsbury School Games – the players will take on an Irish Exiles side on Saturday (18 October) as part of their development.

Scotland have confirmed two other fixtures ahead of the tournament - against the Nomads and Italy.Head coach Jules Maxton said: "We've cut the squad from 36 to 28 based on players' performance at camps in August and September. This three-day camp is our first opportunity to play as a squad this season, in a match, against the Irish Exiles."We've done a lot of strength and conditioning pre-season, setting the higher demands on our players in terms of conditioning, to make them stronger, faster and more able to compete physically in international rugby.”Day one of the camp involves testing fitness levels before moving on to more tactical work to prepare for the training game on day two.Maxton added: "With 28 players, it does allow me to look at different combinations and for us to try different things on the pitch.”Analysis and recovery follows the next morning with the squad returning over the next few weeks for skills clinics prior to a friendly, away, to Italy in November."That will really bring us up to speed with the intensity earlier, before the 6 Nations, which we haven't had previously. With three games prior to the tournament players will be able to experience what it takes to wear that jersey."Thereafter we'll name our 6 Nations squad.”The Scotland Women extended squad take on Irish Exiles in a training game this Saturday (18 October) at BT Murrayfield, back pitch, kick-off 1pm.ForwardsKaren Dunbar (RHC Cougars)Deborah McCormack  (Richmond)Tess Forsberg (Richmond)Heather Lockhart  (Hillhead Jordanhill)Lindsey Smith (Hillhead Jordanhill)Sarah Quick (Murrayfield Wanderers)Emma Wassell (Murrayfield Wanderers)(pictured)Lisa Robertson (Murrayfield Wanderers)Lana Skeldon (Melrose)Christianne Fahey (Murrayfield Wanderers)Judith Telford (Murrayfield Wanderers)Lindsay O'Donnell (Worcester)Rachael Cook (Murrayfield Wanderers)Fiona Sim (Loughbourgh University)Tracy Balmer (Worcester)Jade Konkel (Hillhead Jordanhill)BacksLisa Martin (Murrayfield Wanderers)Gillian Inglis (Melrose)Laura Steven (Murrayfield Wanderers)Mhairi Grieve (RHC Cougars)Harriet Cumber (Murrayfield Wanderers)Claire Bain (RHC Cougars)Sarah Law (Murrayfield Wanderers)Eilidh Sinclair (Murrayfield Wanderers)Leanne Neary (RHC Cougars)Abigail Evans (Northumbria University)Stephanie Johnston (Worcester)Hannah Sloan (Stewarty)