Women set to make London Rock

Following their first outing of the season at last weekend’s Amsterdam 7s members of Scotland Women’s 7s, playing as Scottish Select, will compete in this Saturday’s (30 May) Rugby Rocks London tournament.Head coach Scott Forrest has made two changes to this week’s line-up, with stand-off Lisa Ritchie and winger Caitlin Harvey coming into the squad, in place of Debs McCormack and Sarah Dixon.He said: “We’ve been to this tournament a few times so we know how it runs and we’ll be looking to build on what we did in Amsterdam.”Last weekend the squad registered four wins – against teams from Switzerland (2), France and Brazil – a draw with Wooden Spoon and a defeat to Ireland.Forrest said: “The first two games last Saturday were against a Swiss team and a French club team, so that got us into the tournament mode. “Then we played Wooden Spoon which was all international sevens players, mostly from England. Everyone played really well and we were ahead with one minute to go when they scored to draw level.”Acknowledging that the standard on day two was higher, Forrest maintained that not knowing much about first opponents Brazil – the hosts of next year’s Olympics – was beneficial to their 10-7 win. However the second match, against old adversaries Ireland, didn’t end so successfully.He said: “Although Ireland were the better team, there was maybe a bit of a psychological issue for us, in that they are always a challenge for us at all levels, however it was good to mark the standard we have to reach.”Though the draw is yet to be made for this weekend’s tournament, Wooden Spoon are again in the mix along with an Australian development team and Forrest is confident his side will rise to the challenge.”We’ve changed the squad a bit – it’s definitely the strongest squad we’ve had in four years of competing – and from a coaching point of view having the option to be able to make a selection is good.”The core group – including Steph Johnson and Megan Gaffney – played well and it was pleasing to see Sarah Law [pictured] win our player’s player award last weekend.”Although she’s always been involved in the squad, she’s not always nailed down a starting place. Last weekend she was taking kick-offs and winning 60% of them, which shows how far she’s come over the last year.”Then we have Jade Konkel, a quality player who carried ball well and made plenty of good hits and new young players including Fionidi Parker who played well in Amsterdam.”It’s an exciting group and I’m looking forward to developing our performance this weekend.” Scotland Women 7s squad for Rugby Rocks London Megan Gaffney                                 Hillhead JordanhillLindsay Wheeler                              SaracensKaren Dunbar                                    RHC CougarsLisa Ritchie                                       CarlisleJade Konkel                                       Hillhead JordanhillMhairi Grieve                                    RHC CougarsJenny Maxwell                                  Leeds Met/ LichfieldSarah Law                                          Murrayfield WanderersSteph Johnston                                 WorcesterEilidh Sinclair                                   Murrayfield WanderersFionidi Parker                                   Northumbria UniversityCaitlin Harvey                                   Caithness/RHC Cougars Scottish SelectAmsterdam 7s (Scottish Select) 23-24 May, National Rugby Centre, AmsterdamLondon Rocks (Scottish Select) 30 May, Richmond Athletic GroundScotland Women 7sRugby Europe Women’s 7s Grand Prix Series 1, 13-14 June, Kazan (Russia)Rugby Europe Women’s 7s Grand Prix Series 2, 20-21 June, Brive (France)