Five changes to Scotland Women 7s for Hungary

Head Coach Graham Shiel has announced his Scotland Women 7s squad to compete in the second leg of the Rugby Europe Sevens Women’s Trophy in Esztergom, Hungary this weekend (9-10 July).Four uncapped players have been called up for the second and final leg of the Trophy competition, including Scotland Women under-20 and BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy player Louise McMillan.Stirling County’s Rachel Shankland is given the nod having been involved in the extended training squad this season and Caroline Collie has been drafted in via the national squad training day where players trained with both the XV and sevens squads.American footballer Jo Kilby, a GB Women and Birmingham Lions quarterback, has also been selected. Prior to switching codes, Kilby played fullback for Camp Hill in West Midlands for 10 years and scored over 1,000 points.Scotland Women under-20 and BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy player Caitlin Harvey, who played for Scotland Women 7s last year, also joins the squad. Seven players who featured in the first leg of the tournament in Prague last month return to make up a new look squad keen to challenge themselves against very good opposition and replicate their form shown in the tournament.The Scots enjoyed an undefeated run to the final with wins over Israel, Switzerland, Germany and Czech Republic, but were overcome by a strong second-seed Sweden side.Scotland Women internationalists Deborah McCormack, Abigail Evans and Mhairi Grieve, who will captain the squad this weekend, retain their spots after winning their first caps in Prague alongside Hillhead/Jordanhill’s Kirsty McConnell.Megan Gaffney will add her experience and pace with fellow Scotland Women backs Jenny Maxwell and Lauren Harris.Head Coach Graham Shiel said: We’ve been forced to make a number of personnel changes to the squad, which provides opportunities for other players to gain experience in the European competition and exposure to the highest level of rugby available.”Prague was a very successful tournament for us with all players performing to a very high level and deservedly finishing in the top two of the competition. It was very satisfying to see the players perform at the level they did to secure a final spot and was just reward for the hard work they had put into the programme”.”This tournament will provide different challenges with a new squad and limited preparation, but it will be a valuable opportunity for players to face the high level of competition we will play throughout the weekend”.Scotland Women 7s will meet Norway (9.44am kick-off), Czech Republic (12.29pm kick-off) and Romania (3.14pm kick-off) in Pool B of the Rugby Europe Sevens Women’s Trophy in Esztergom. Kick-off times are BST. Results will be posted on the Rugby Europe website and games will be live streamed on Rugby Europe TV.  Scotland Women 7s squad to play in the Rugby Europe Sevens Women’s Trophy in Esztergom, HungarySaturday 9 July and Sunday 10 July 2016  Deborah McCormack (Richmond RFC)Kirsty McConnell (Hillhead/Jordanhill)Rachel Shankland (Stirling County)Louise McMillan* (Hillhead/Jordanhill)Megan Gaffney (Hillhead/Jordanhill)Jenny Maxwell (Leeds Met Uni/Lichfield)Caroline Collie (Bletchley Ladies)Mhairi Grieve* (RHC Cougars/ Edinburgh UniversityJo Kilby (Unattached)Abigail Evans (Hillhead/Jordanhill)Lauren Harris (Melrose RFC)Caitlin Harvey* (Caithness RFC)* BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy Stage 2 players 2015-16