Scotland Women Aim For Swede Success In Final Pool Game

Scotland Women ring the changes again as they prepare to take on Sweden in their third and final pool fixture of the 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup tomorrow (Saturday 28 August, kick-off 12noon) at Surrey Sports Park. Hooker Alison Macdonald moves from the bench to the starting fifteen, along with prop Jilly McCord and wingers Stephanie Johnston and Katy Green. Sarah Gill, fully recovered after a knock in the first game, occupies the scrum half berth while centre, Suzi Newton, returns to the bench after playing in the pool opener against Canada. Read on for further details of the team and to listen to head coach, Gary Parker’s thoughts on the game, Scotland’s progress to date and the tournament as a showcase for women’s rugby. Scotland may, historically, have a good record against tomorrow’s opposition but Sweden have gained in experience since the teams’ last encounter, in January 2009. Beating both Italy and Spain en route to qualification for this Rugby World Cup has given the side a huge boost, something which Scotland head coach, Gary Parker, reckons should not be underestimated as both sides look for their first tournament win. Parker said: Sweden have always targeted Scotland as their game to win. We know we’ve got to cut out some of the mistakes that cost us dearly in the first two games and we’ve got to back ourselves to win this game. The Scots’ target of reaching fifth to eighth place in the tournament is still within reach although Parker is under no illusions of the task in hand. We’ve got to win our first game and we’ve got to score four tries, which would give us five points, then we’re looking at Australia beating South Africa and denying them the bonus point. There are many permutations but the most important one is that we win our game. Unavailable for selection is winger, Celia Hawthorn. Following a challenge in the previous game, against France, Celia was found to have an injury to her right knee. She has now returned home for further examination and treatment. Listen to head coach Gary Parker’s thoughts on the forthcoming game, Scotland’s progress to date and the tournament as a showcase for women’s rugby.Scotland Women v Sweden, Surrey Sports Park, kick-off 12noon15 Nicola Halfpenny (Melrose) 14 Katy Green (Murrayfield Wanderers) 13 Lucy Millard (Team Northumbria) 12 Veronica Fitzpatrick (Royal High Cougars) 11 Stephanie Johnston (Hillhead / Jordanhill) 10 Erin Kerr (London Wasps) 9 Sarah Gill (Murrayfield Wanderers) 1 Heather Lockhart (Hillhead / Jordanhill) 2 Alison Macdonald (Royal High Cougars) 3 Gillian McCord (Royal High Cougars) 4 Susie Brown (Richmond) 5 Lindsay Wheeler (Darlington Mowden Park) 6 Lynne Reid CAPTAIN (Royal High Cougars) 7 Ruth Slaven (Murrayfield Wanderers) 8 Donna Kennedy (Worcester) Substitutes 16 Sarah-Louise Walker (Watsonians) 17 Beth Dickens (Murrayfield Wanderers) 18 Louise Moffat (Murrayfield Wanderers) 19 Rosalind Murphy (Edinburgh University) 20 Louise Dalgliesh (Royal High Cougars) 21 Tanya Griffith (Royal High Cougars) 22 Suzi Newton (Team Northumbria) Referee: Sarah Corrigan (Australia) Assistant referee: Javier Mancuso (Argentina) Assistant referee: Sebastien Minery (France) SCOTLAND WOMEN RUGBY WORLD CUP SCHEDULE Pool C France Canada Scotland Sweden Friday 20 August  Canada (37) – (10) Scotland Tuesday 24 August  France (17) – (7) Scotland Saturday 28 August  Scotland v Sweden (kick-off: 12noon) All Pool games will be played at Surrey Sports Park. Rugby fans who buy tickets for the WRWC 2010 will automatically be put onto a ticketing information list for the Rugby World Cup in 2015, to be hosted in England. For more information on tickets, please go to: www.rwcwomens.com