Two changes for Scotland as they look to build on Six Nations win
Scotland boss Bryan Easson has made two changes to his team to host France in this Saturday’s round two Guinness Six Nations encounter in Edinburgh.
The Scots got off to a flyer last weekend in Cardiff, beating Wales 20-18 and securing their highest-ever world ranking as they moved up to the sixth in the standings.
That victory, which featured tries at the start of each half from Coreen Grant and Rhona Lloyd and 10 points from the boot of Helen Nelson, was the first time in 20 years that Scotland beat Wales on Welsh soil and they will now look to build on that breakthrough having retained 13 of the same starters.
Both changes from last weekend are in the pack with Louise McMillan, a round one replacement, set for her 50th appearance after taking over at second row from the absent Sarah Bonar.
The other alteration is at hooker where Elis Martin makes her first Test start for Scotland. She is another of last week’s replacements to secure promotion with Lana Skeldon dropping out.
Among the replacements, centre Nicole Flynn and second row Fi McIntosh are in contention to win a first cap.
Scotland (vs France, Saturday)
15. Meryl Smith – Bristol Bears (14)
14. Rhona Lloyd – GB Sevens/Stade Bordelais (47)
13. Emma Orr – Heriot’s Blues (15)
12. Lisa Thomson – GB Sevens (56)
11. Coreen Grant – Saracens (8)
10 Helen Nelson – (Vice-captain) – Loughborough Lightning (56)
9. Caity Mattinson – Gloucester-Hartpury (19)
1. Leah Bartlett – Leicester Tigers (31)
2. Elis Martin – Leicester Tigers (6)
3. Christine Belisle – Loughborough Lightning (31)
4. Emma Wassell – Loughborough Lightning (65)
5. Louise McMillan – Saracens (49)
6. Rachel Malcolm (Captain) – Loughborough Lightning (43)
7. Alex Stewart – Corstorphine Cougars (1)
8. Evie Gallagher – Bristol Bears (23)
Replacements:
16. Molly Wright – Sale Sharks (19)
17. Lisa Cockburn – Leicester Tigers (28)
18. Elliann Clarke – Bristol Bears (7)
19. Fiona McIntosh – Saracens (uncapped)
20. Eva Donaldson – Leicester Tigers (8)
21. Mairi McDonald – Exeter Chiefs (18)
22. Nicole Flynn – University of Edinburgh (uncapped)
23. Chloe Rollie – Loughborough Lightning (62)
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I’m hoping that the Reds can win their last 4 games with a couple of try bonus points. The pessimist in me wouldn't be surprised if the Drua and the Tahs knock the Reds over. The Reds may end up ruing the fact they were distinctly 2nd best against the Force and just so clunky against Moana Pasifica. The Brumbies should win all their remaining games with some bonus points giving them at least a top 2 finish as the leading Kiwi sides will take points off each other. How the Brumbies handle the fact that they will be expected to beat the Crusaders will fascinate me. You’d probably have to go back to 2001 for the last time the Brumbies would go into a game against the Crusaders nearly odds on to win.
Go to commentsFree to air is the key to fan expansion. I attended last weeks game at Suncorp (Reds v Blues) and the total cost is prohibitive to most people that wish to attend. Two tickets $130, parking (event day gouging) $75, road tolls $20, dinner beforehand $130, plus some petrol and a beer inside the stadium and a single game starts to cost $300-400. Who can afford that week in week out, I’d love to go more but could only afford this one game to see the Blues, I’d have loved to have seen more NZ teams here but I’d need to stop eating or sell a kidney.
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