Scotland Women home in on Broadwood

The sharp end of the senior Scotland Women’s season kicks off in February in France with their opening match of the 2015 6 Nations, before returning to a new home base in central Scotland.  Hatty Cumber dots down at Broadwood in the 2014 Sarah Beany Cup final  Head coach Jules Maxton said: This is obviously a tough opening game, France having been in the semi finals of the Rugby World Cup earlier this year.Having had extra time together I feel we’re better prepared, as a squad, this year, which ensured we increased our level of intensity more quickly and came together as a squad.”Maxton believes this was evident in the recent friendly, away against Italy, where a more confident performance highlighted an improved ability to apply skills.Following the away opener, the Scots then have two home fixtures, against Wales (Saturday 14 February, kick-off 5pm) and Italy (Sunday 1 March, kick-off 1pm) at a new base, the central location of Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld.The home of Clyde FC, with its synthetic surface, hosted the men’s and women’s annual club finals day earlier this season while the pitch at BT Murrayfield was under renovation.Maxton added:Broadwood is a great central location and we’re looking forward to as many people as possible taking the opportunity to come along and support us.Scotland’s remaining away match is against England, at the Northern Echo Arena in Darlington (Friday 13 March, kick-off 7.35pm) and is the second of a double-header at the stadium that evening, preceded by the under-20 international fixture between Scotland and England.The squad return to Broadwood on Sunday 22 March for their final 6 Nations’ fixture, against Ireland (kick-off 1pm).Sheila Begbie, Head of Women’s Rugby, Scottish Rugby said: We are really delighted to announce our partnership with North Lanarkshire Leisure which will see our women’s national team play their 6 Nations Championship out of Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld.The central location of the stadium for players and staff, along with the proximity of Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports, will make this a very accessible venue for our women’s rugby programme.Over the coming months we will look to engage with local schools, schools of rugby and rugby clubs to encourage the local community to come and support Scotland in their 6 Nations matches at Broadwood against Wales, Italy and the number four ranked team in the world, Ireland.”Jim Logue, Chairman of North Lanarkshire Leisure added: I’m delighted to welcome Scotland Women to Broadwood next year for their prestigious home 6 Nations fixtures.The announcement that North Lanarkshire Leisure’s Broadwood Stadium will be welcoming international rugby continues to reinforce the venue’s status as an elite sports hub, with a top-of-the-range BMX track, state-of-the-art fitness facilities and a variety of modern football facilities already in place.”Blane Dodds, Chief Executive of North Lanarkshire Leisure underlined their delight at staging the three internationals at the 8,000 capacity stadium.The team at Broadwood look forward to hosting the best women’s rugby players from around Europe and hope that the local community turn out in force to support the best Scottish women’s rugby talent.”Saturday 7 February: France Women v Scotland Women, Stade Henri Desgranges, La Roche sur Yon (kick-off 2pm local)Saturday 14 February: Scotland Women v Wales Women, Broadwood Stadium (kick-off 5pm) – Adult tickets£5, concessions FREESunday 1 March: Scotland Women v Italy Women, Broadwood Stadium (kick-off 1pm) – Adult tickets£5, concessions FREEFriday 13 March: England Women v Scotland Women, Northern Echo Arena, Darlington (kick-off 7.35pm)Sunday 22 March: Scotland Women v Ireland Women, Broadwood Stadium (kick-off 1pm) – Adult tickets£5, concessions FREE