Scots side to play Italy named

This match marks the return of a competitive fixture earlier in the season for the squad,(captained by Tracy Balmer, pictured)welcomed by head coach Jules Maxton who said:

"We've had great support, and a more co-ordinated approach, with our strength and conditioning this season so this is a great opportunity to test ourselves and get up to match intensity.”The team features a mix of experience – in the shape of 70-times capped prop Heather Lockhart and returning captain and fellow prop Balmer – and new faces, a number who have progressed through the women's pathway.Maxton said: "We've included scrum half Mhairi Grieve and winger Hannah Sloan in the starting XV, both of whom have graduated from the under-20 side, while centre Leanne Neary will be making her first start for the national team.”The Scots last met their opponents during the 2014 6 Nations at Stadio Parco Urbano, when they were defeated 45-5, and will be looking to redress that score on Sunday, though Maxton is under no illusions that the ever-improving Italians will prove a tough challenge."They'll be coming into the game pretty confident after finishing fourth in last season's 6 Nations. They play a very offloading game and we'll need to call on all the skills we've been building on during our weekly sessions to counter that. We're all looking forward the challenge and the experience this game will give us as we build towards next year's Championship.”Scotland Women take on Italy at Nuovo Impianto Rugby, Via dei Gladioli, Cretara, Avezzano (L'Aquila) on Sunday 23 November, kick-off 2.30pm (1.30pm GMT).

Meanwhile , following an open trials day in October, a 26-woman Scotland under-20 squad has been selected for the age grade's first training day on 23 November at the University of Edinburgh's Peffermill playing fields.Head coach Alex Laybourne said: "I'm really excited about the depth and breadth of talent we saw at the trials. We've had to make some tough calls over the course of the last few weeks to come to a final squad for the season of 26."Myself and the management team are looking forward to a successful season with this group of players who have the commitment and drive that we need to have a successful Scotland Women under-20 programme.”Two matches are lined up for the team later in the spring against teams reperesenting the RAF and Czech Republic.Scotland Women team v Italy15 Gillian Inglis14 Hannah Sloan13 Laura Steven12 Leanne Neary11 Stephanie Johnston10 Lisa Martin9 Mhairi Grieve1 Heather Lockhart2 Lana Skeldon3 Tracy Balmer4 Deborah McCormack5 Emma Wassell6 Lyndsay O'Donnell7 Tess Forsberg8 Rachael CookSubstitutes16 Sarah Quick17 Lisa Robertson18 Christianne Fahey19 Jade Konkel20 Karen Dunbar21 Claire Bain22 Harriet Cumber23 Eilidh Sinclair