Returning players boost side for Italian encounter in Madrid
Scotland Women welcome back a number of rejuvenated players into the team to take on Italy tomorrow (23 April) in the FIRA WRWC 2014 qualifier in Madrid (kick-off 1.30pm local, 12.30pm BST) after securing a bonus point win (29-7) in Saturday’s opening game against the Netherlands.Outside centre Annabel Sergeant and blindside flanker Jade Konkel return from injury to start with Sarah Dixon moving to the wing. Prop Heather Lockhart moves back from the bench to the starting XV. Gillian Inglis retains her place to win her second cap, at inside centre, and lock Lindsay Wheeler wins her 60th cap.Head coach Karen Findlay said: It’s one of the biggest games in the tournament and a huge game for both teams. Hopefully it will be closely contested, based on our match in the 6 Nations when we had a narrow loss after securing a lot of territory and possession.The girls are coming into this wanting to put right a wrong and have everything to play for.Saturday [win against the Netherlands] is neither here nor there at the moment. We’re taking it a game at a time. We got the win and a bonus point. That’s the first job done – now it’s about performing.Hear more from Karen on tomorrow’s challenge (above) and catch the ongoing series of player video profiles on their biography pages of the Scottish Rugby web site.The match will be streamed live and Scottish Rugby will be providing updates on Twitter.? Scotland Women team v Italy Women, kick-off 1.30pm (local, 12.30pm BST), Central University Stadium, Madrid15 Katy Green (Darlington Mowden Park)?14 Sarah Dixon (RHC Cougars)?13 Annabel Sergeant (Richmond)?12 Gillian Inglis (Melrose)?11 Megan Gaffney (Hillhead Jordanhill)?10 Tanya Griffith (RHC Cougars)?9 Louise Dalgliesh (RHC Cougars)???1 Heather Lockhart (Hillhead Jordanhill)?2 Lindsey Smith (Hillhead Jordanhill)?3 Tracy Balmer (Worcester)?4 Lindsay Wheeler (Richmond)?5 Becca Parker (Hillhead Jordanhill)?6 Jade Konkel (Hillhead Jordanhill)?7 Tess Forsberg (Richmond)?8 Susie Brown (Richmond) (c)Substitutes16 Suzy McKerlie-Hex (Murrayfield Wanderers)? 17 Nikki McLeod (Morgan)?18 Beth Dickens (Murrayfield Wanderers)?19 Bridget Millar-Mills (Worcester)?20 Samantha Beale (Hillhead Jordanhill)?21 Sarah Law (Murrayfield Wanderers)22 Lisa Martin (Murrayfield Wanderers)?23 Lyndsay O’Donnell (Worcester)I?in their final game, Scotland meet Sweden on Saturday 27 April (kick-off 1.30pm local, 12.30pm BST). All fixtures take place at the Central University Stadium, Madrid.