Dempsey Plots To Overturn Swedes

Scotland Women have appointed a new forwards coach as preparations for the 6 Nations campaign begin with a test match against Sweden (Saturday 10 January, Meggetland, kick-off 12noon). Admisison is free  Scotland Women have appointed a new forwards coach as preparations for the 6 Nations campaign begin with a test match against Sweden (Saturday 10 January, Meggetland, kick-off 12noon).Former Melrose and Scotland A prop, Millan Browne, will oversee the forwards’ coaching duties focusing on player strength, conditioning and the set piece, as the players gear up for their first test under head coach Jamie Dempsey – following the cancellation of the Autumn Test match against Kazakhstan.After seeing the Swedes in action against England and Spain in the FIRA Championship, Dempsey has been working to develop the squad’s physicality to counteract the athleticism of teams like the visiting Scandinavians.He said: “We’ve been working hard for five or six months now given that we were preparing for the Kazakhstan game in November so really it’s been about maintaining the focus of the squad on our goals of improving our playing style and physical conditioning. “A positive from the cancellation is that we have had more time do that. The condition of the players has improved across the board, particularly in our front five so hopefully we’ll see results of that on the park.”Despite being ranked three places above the eigth-placed Swedes in Europe, Dempsey refused to see this match as a chance to test fringe players on the international stage.”It would be nice to see this as a development game in the run-in to the 6 Nations but at international level it’s win at all costs. It’s up to us to continually develop as a team.”We have to give Sweden the respect they deserve but the most important aspect of our development is that we keep winning games.”The Sweden match will be the side’s last international test before the 2009 6 Nations Championship which begins against Wales in February.Scotland squad to face Sweden on Saturday 10 January, Meggatland, kick-off 12 noonForwardsEllen Beattie (Murrayfield Wanderers), Beth Dickens (Murrayfield Wanderers), Heather Lockhart (Hillhead / Jordan Hill), Alison MacDonald (Royal High Corstorphine), Sarah Louise Walker (Watsonians), Joy Lyth (Lismore), Natalya Marcholla (Stirling County), Lynsey Wheeler (Blaydon / Team Northumbria), Louise Moffat (Kirkcaldy), Lynne Reid CAPTAIN (Royal High Corstorphine), Ruth Slaven (Murrayfield Wanderers), Keri Holdsworth (Watsonians), Susie Brown (Hillhead / Jordanhill) BacksLouise Dalgliesh (Royal High Corstorphine), Erin Kerr (Richmond), Laura Steven (Murrayfield Wanderers), Suzi Newton (Blaydon / Team Northumbria), Lucy Millard VICE CAPTAIN (Murrayfield Wanderers), Ronnie Fitzpatrick (Royal High Corstorphine), Vik Blakebrough, Cara D’Silva (Royal High Corstorphine), Lynsey Douglas (Richmond)Scotland Women match scheduleScotland v Sweden, Saturday 10 January, Meggetland, kick-off 12noon         6 Nations championshipScotland v Wales, Sunday 8 February, Meggetland, kick-off 12noon France v Scotland, Sun 15 Feb, Northern Paris Suburbs, kick-off tbcScotland v Italy, Saturday 28 February, Meggetland, kick-off 12noon Scotland v Ireland, Friday 13 March, Meggetland, kick-off 7.30pm  England v Scotland, Saturday 21 March, Esher RFC SW London, 1.30pm