News & Features International Scotland Women

Thomson to make 50th appearance against France

14 Apr 2023

Scotland Women Head Coach Bryan Easson has named his side to face France in the third round of the TikTok Women’s Six Nations championship at Stade de la Rabine, Vannes (Sunday 16 April, kick-off 3.15pm BST / 4.15pm local time) – live on BBC Scotland.

Easson has made three personnel changes ahead of this weekend’s clash, as Lisa Thomson and Jade Konkel-Roberts return to international duties, while Liz Musgrove is promoted from the bench to start on the wing. There is also one positional change as Evie Gallagher moves from number 8 to openside flanker.

Lisa Thomson is poised to make her 50th appearance for Scotland, having recently competed at the HSBC World Series event in Hong Kong, claiming an impressive bronze place finish with the GB 7s side.

Thomson will be the third woman from Hawick to reach the milestone, following in the footsteps of Louise Dalgleish and current teammate Lana Skeldon. The centre made her international debut against England at Broadwood Stadium in the opening match of the 2016 Six Nations tournament.

Easson said: “It’s brilliant to see Lisa get her 50^th cap this Sunday as she’s been a stalwart for Scotland Women for a long time now.

“It’s also fantastic to welcome back Jade to the squad. She’s worked really hard on her rehab programme and brings a wealth of experience into the pack

“Following the first two rounds, we’ve seen two or three things that we need to fix, including continuing working on our speed of play and also being more clinical inside the gold zone area.

“It’s always a tough challenge going to France but it is also an exciting opportunity which everyone is relishing, especially as we are expecting a huge crowd and a great atmosphere on Sunday.”

An unchanged front-row sees hooker Lana Skeldon pack down alongside Leah Bartlett and Christine Belisle, while Lyndsay O’Donnell once again links up with Louise McMillan in the second-row.

In the back-row, captain Rachel Malcolm and Evie Gallagher are named at blindside and openside flanker respectively, while Konkel-Roberts returns from injury to start at number 8.

Caity Mattinson and Helen Nelson will continue to pull the strings through their half-back partnership, while Lisa Thomson partners Emma Orr in midfield.

The back-three sees Chloe Rollie start at full-back, with Francesca McGhie and Musgrove lining up on the wing.

You can follow all the action live on BBC Scotland/BBC iPlayer. Live updates will also be provided on scottishrugby.org.

Scotland team to face France in the 2023 TikTok Women’s Six Nations (kick-off 3.15pm BST) – live on BBC Scotland

15. Chloe Rollie (Loughborough Lightning) – 54 caps

14. Liz Musgrove (Wasps) – 13 caps
13. Emma Orr (Heriot’s Rugby) – 8 caps
12. Lisa Thomson (GB 7s) – 49 caps
11. Francesca McGhie (Watsonians) – 2 caps

10. Helen Nelson VICE-CAPTAIN (Loughborough Lightning) – 48 caps
9. Caity Mattinson (Worcester Warriors) – 11 caps

1. Leah Bartlett (Loughborough Lightning) – 23 caps
2. Lana Skeldon (Worcester Warriors) – 59 caps
3. Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning) – 23 caps
4. Lyndsay O’Donnell (Bristol Bears) – 19 caps
5. Louise McMillan (Saracens) – 41 caps
6. Rachel Malcolm CAPTAIN (Loughborough Lightning) – 35 caps
7. Evie Gallagher (Worcester Warriors) – 15 caps
8. Jade Konkel-Roberts (Harlequins) – 56 caps

Replacements
16. Jodie Rettie (Saracens) – 22 caps
17. Anne Young (Sale Sharks) – 4 caps
18. Elliann Clarke (University of Edinburgh) – 4 caps
19. Eva Donaldson (University of Edinburgh) – 3 caps
20. Rachel McLachlan (Sale Sharks) – 33 caps
21. Mairi McDonald (Exeter Chiefs) – 11 caps
22. Meryl Smith (University of Edinburgh) – 6 caps
23. Coreen Grant (Saracens) – 3 caps