Head coach Karen Findlay has opted for a blend of youth and experience in the team selected to take on England at Lasswade on Sunday 5 February (kick-off 5pm, free entry).
Scrum half Louise Dalgliesh (RHC Cougars) will win her 50th cap while at the other end of the scale winger Sarah Dixon – who scored a debut try against Holland Women in November 2011 – wins her second. The team will be captained on Sunday by tight-head prop Tracy Balmer, who led Scotland to the victory in Amsterdam.
Findlay said: “I’m really excited about playing England then France at home – they’re both massive challenges – and I’m particularly looking forward to kicking off the tournament against England.
“Every game is going to be a challenge and I’d like to think the hard work we’ve put in – in terms of coaching and player effort – since the last Six Nations will have paid off. We did a lot of soul-searching and have worked hard to improve our core skills and basic preparation.”
Much of the hard work has centred around the regular Friday night Scotland Series training games which have seen new players come through and exisiting team members raising the bar to put their hands up for selection.
Adds Findlay: “The squad has changed and now it’s all about putting everything we’ve worked on into practice, on the day.”
The Scots’ first game is at home against England on Sunday 5 February and culminates away against Italy on Sunday 18 March.
Audio of Karen looking ahead to the England game and speaking about her coaching experience with former New Zealand coach, Graham Henry, is on the web site at www.scotlandrugbyteam.org
Scotland Women v England Women on Sunday 5 February at Lasswade RFC, kick-off 5pm
15 Stephanie Johnston (RHC Cougars) 14 Katy Green (Murrayfield Wanderers) 13 Laura Steven (Murrayfield Wanderers) 12 Lisa Martin (Murrayfield Wanderers) 11 Sarah Dixon (Stirling County) 10 Tanya Griffith (RHC Cougars) 9 Louise Dalgliesh (RHC Cougars)
1 Heather Lockhart (Hillhead/Jordanhill) 2 Sarah Quick (Murrayfield Wanderers) 3 Tracy Balmer (Worcester) (captain) 4 Anna Swan (RHC Cougars) 5 Jemma Forsyth (Hillhead/Jordanhill) 6 Charlotte Veale (London Wasps) 7 Ruth Slaven (Murrayfield Wanderers) 8 Lindsay Wheeler (Richmond)
Substitutes 16 Lindsey Smith (Darlington Mowden Park) 17 Suzanne McKerlie-Hex (Murrayfield Wanderers) 18 Beth Dickens (Murrayfield Wanderers) 19 Kath Muir (RAF) 20 Tess Forsberg (Richmond) 21 Lisa Ritchie (Carlisle) 22 Caroline Collie (OA Saints)
Scotland Women’s RBS 6 Nations fixtures are as below, with free entry to both home matches.
Sunday 5 February, Scotland v England, Lasswade RFC, kick-off 5pm Sunday 12 February, Wales v Scotland, Cross Keys RFC, kick-off 1pm Saturday 25 February, Scotland v France, Stirling County RFC, kick-off 2pm Friday 9 March, Ireland v Scotland, Ashbourne RFC, kick-off 7.30pm Sunday 18 March, Italy v Scotland, Rovato Stadium, Brescia, kick-off 2.30pm
