Scotland Women Head Coach Shade Munro has selected a settled squad for the match against Ireland Women at Donnybrook this Sunday (20 March, kick-off 1pm) – live on Irish Rugby TV.
All 23 players retain their positions for their 2016 Women’s Six Nations finale in Dublin, following the physical encounter against France at Broadwood Stadium last Friday.
Included in the line-up are nine BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy Stage 2 players and three players who made their debut in this year’s Championship – Lisa Thomson and Rhona Lloyd, who have held their starting positions since England, and Helen Nelson who won her first cap against France from the bench.
The powerful back-row trio returns with number 8 Jade Konkel and flankers Jemma Forsyth and Karen Dunbar.
Emma Wassell and Deborah McCormack remain a tight duo in the second-row with both locks set to earn their 16th cap for Scotland Women.
Hooker Lana Skeldon is back in action with her experienced Hillhead / Jordanhill club mates Heather Lockheart, on 82 caps, and Lindsey Smith, 28 caps.
Half-backs Sarah Law and Jenny Maxwell will start alongside centres Lisa Martin, who has captained the side from the outset of this campaign, and Lisa Thomson, who was named Player of the Match against France following a solid ball-carrying shift.
The back three is made up of Chloe Rollie at full-back and wingers Rhona Lloyd and Megan Gaffney, all of whom have started every Six Nations match this year.
The bench remains the same with forwards Sarah Quick, Lisa Robertson, Tracy Balmer, Fiona Sim and Anna Stodter and backs Helen Nelson, Lauren Harris and Eilidh Sinclair keen to get game time against last year’s champions.
Ireland Women are third on the table going into the last round following wins over Wales and Italy and losses to France and England.
While Scotland has improved in each game they are yet to seal a win in this year’s Championship.
Scotland Women Head Coach Shade Munro said: “We had a really good first half against France, we certainly took it to them.
“One of our goals was to compete physically with them for 80 minutes and we achieved the goals we had individually and collectively set as a team, which was really pleasing.
“The effort is there and I’m really proud of the progress the squad has made during this Six Nations campaign. We can compete with these teams – the potential is definitely there.
“This final game against Ireland is another chance for us to improve and work on the things we can control.
“The players are looking forward to getting out there and enjoying the match, while also doing the thistle proud.”
The match will be streamed live on Irish Rugby TV here.
Scotland Women team to play Ireland Women at Donnybrook, Dublin
Sunday 20 March (kick-off 1pm)
15 Chloe Rollie* (Murrayfield Wanderers)
14 Megan Gaffney (Hillhead/Jordanhill)
13 Lisa Thomson* (Melrose RFC / Edinburgh University)
12 Lisa Martin* (Murrayfield Wanderers) CAPTAIN
11 Rhona Lloyd (Murrayfield Wanderers / Edinburgh University)
10 Sarah Law* (Murrayfield Wanderers / Edinburgh University)
9 Jenny Maxwell (Leeds Beckett University / Lichfield RFC)
1 Heather Lockhart (Hillhead/Jordanhill)
2 Lana Skeldon* (Hillhead/Jordanhill)
3 Lindsey Smith (Hillhead/Jordanhill)
4 Emma Wassell* (Murrayfield Wanderers)
5 Deborah McCormack (Richmond RFC)
6 Jemma Forsyth (Hillhead/Jordanhill)
7 Karen Dunbar (RHC Cougars / Edinburgh University)
8 Jade Konkel* (Hillhead/Jordanhill)
Substitutes
16 Sarah Quick (Murrayfield Wanderers)
17 Lisa Robertson* (Murrayfield Wanderers)
18 Tracy Balmer (Worcester RFC)
19 Fiona Sim (Saracens RFC)
20 Anna Stodter (Saracens RFC)
21 Helen Nelson (Murrayfield Wanderers / Edinburgh University)
22 Lauren Harris (Melrose RFC)
23 Eilidh Sinclair* (Murrayfield Wanderers)
* BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy Stage 2 players 2015/16
Report courtesy of SRFU via RBS 6 Nations
