Women’s 7s set for European challenge

Scotland Women 7s set off for Norway today, ready to take on the challenge of European competition. After three training weekends and a warm-up event – Rugby Rocks London, where they won the Plate – the squad of 12 will take part in the FIRA-AER Division A Championship in Bergen this weekend (7 & 8 June).The Scots are pooled with Moldova, Finland and Croatia – with Ukraine, Norway, Switzerland, Romania, Czech Republic, Denmark, Poland and Georgia split between the other two pools.Teams then proceed to quarter finals, and to compete in the bowl, plate and cup competitions, the Cup winner and runner-up gaining promotion to the 2015 Women’s Grand Prix Series.Head coach Scott Forrest has been encouraged by the efforts of players to date. He said: We’ve got some girls who have been involved over the last three years, some who missed last season through injury and a couple of new girls who have come in.Rose Anderson, for example, is an exciting prospect. She’s transferred from basketball where she competed at the 2012 Olympics, so the expertise she brings from another sport is really good to have in the group. For someone who’s only been playing rugby for a few months, she’s taken to it very quickly.This is the third season I’ve coached the women’s team and I’d say this is the highest standard we’ve had. It’s the type of headache every coach wants, to have to make tough choices in team selection.”? We caught up with Scott and the squad at a recent training camp – click here to view.Scotland Women 7s squad to compete at FIRA-AER Division A ChampionshipSaturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2014, Fana Stadium, Bergen, NorwayRose Anderson (RHC Cougars)Claire Bain (RHC Cougars)Sarah Dixon (Stirling County Women)Tess Forsberg (Richmond)Sarah Gill ?(Murrayfield Wanderers)Steph Johnston (Worcester)Gillian Inglis (Melrose)Sarah Law (Murrayfield Wanderers)Lisa Martin (Murrayfield Wanderers)Annabel Sergeant (Richmond)Ruth Slaven  (Murrayfield Wanderers)Laura Steven (Murrayfield Wanderers)Scotland’s pool matches on Saturday 7 JuneScotland v Finland (kick-off 10.22 local, 9.22 UK)?Scotland v Croatia (kick-off 13.22 local, 12.22 UK)?Scotland v Moldova (kick-off 17.28 local, 16.28 UK)?Subsequent fixtures are dependent on results in the above matches.