Munro makes three changes for Red Roses Test
14 Mar 2019Scotland Women have made three changes to their starting XV for their final Six Nations fixture against England on Saturday at Twickenham Stadium.
Jenny Maxwell will start at scrum half for Saturday’s match which will be live on BBC ALBA and Sky Sports. This will be Maxwell’s 24th cap for Scotland.
Nicola Howat comes into the second row alongside Emma Wassell. The final Women’s Six Nations match will be Wassell’s 36th consecutive appearance for Scotland Women.
Sarah Bonar will move from the second row to flanker due to Rachel Malcolm sustaining concussion in last weekend’s match against Wales at Scotstoun. She will be joined in the back row by Jade Konkel and Rachel McLachlan.
The front row trio remain unchanged with Mairi Forysth at tight-head, Megan Kennedy at loose-head and Lana Skeldon at hooker.
Skipper Lisa Thomson will play at inside centre with Helen Nelson at fly half. Joining them in the backs will be Hannah Smith, Annabel Sergeant, Rhona Lloyd and full-back Chloe Rollie.
One new addition to the squad comes in the form of back-row Panashe Muzambe as she takes a place on the Scotland Women bench for the first time. Muzambe, a Watsonians RFC player, has been part of the wider squad for the majority of the Women’s Six Nations.
Head Coach Shade Munro said: “The team played well last Friday against Wales. The result was hugely disappointing, but they put in a strong performance.
“England are incredibly strong, but we have been doing everything we can to prepare for the match.
“Jenny has done very well coming off the bench to scrum half, adding impetus and pace to our attack on every occasion. She deserves her opportunity to start.”
With England currently ranked second in the world and Scotland twelfth, the visitors will be in for a tough challenge at Twickenham.
Scotland Women are still in search of a victory in this year’s Women’s Six Nations Championships. England however, remain unbeaten in this year’s championships.
Scotland suffered a close 15-17 loss on Friday at Scotstoun when Wales scored with the clock on 80 minutes and a conversion took the result away from the hosts.
England secured a nine-try victory over Italy last weekend with a record-breaking crowd in Exeter.
Scotland team to face England
Saturday 16 March (kick-off 7.30pm GMT)
15. Chloe Rollie ** (Lille Metropole Rugby Club Villeneuvios)
14. Rhona Lloyd (Loughborough Lightning)
13. Hannah Smith (Hillhead Jordanhill)
12. Lisa Thomson ** CAPTAIN (Darlington Mowden Park)
11. Annabel Sergeant (Heriots Rugby Club)
10. Helen Nelson ** (Montpellier)
9. Jenny Maxwell (Loughborough Lightning)
1. Megan Kennedy ** (Stirling County)
2. Lana Skeldon ** (Watsonians)
3. Mairi Forsyth (Stirling County)
4. Emma Wassell * (Heriots Rugby Club)
5. Nicola Howat * (Edinburgh University)
6. Sarah Bonar ** (Loughborough Lightning)
7. Rachel McLachlan (Stirling County)
8. Jade Konkel ** (Harlequins)
Substitutes
16. Jodie Rettie (Saracens)
17. Lisa Cockburn (Darlington Mowden Park)
18. Katie Dougan (Gloucester Hartpury)
19. Panashe Muzambe (Watsonians RFC)
20. Deborah McCormack (Harlequins)
21. Mhairi Grieve (Firwood Waterloo)
22. Lisa Martin ** (Lille Metropole Rugby Club Villeneuvios)
23. Abi Evans (Hillhead Jordanhill)
* Fosroc Scottish Rugby Academy Supported Player 2018/19
** 2021 Supported Contract 2018/19
