Konkel set to make first start

Published on 08/02/2013 00:00

AS SCOTLAND Women regroup for their second round match of the Women’s Six Nations Championship against Italy at Mayfield in Dundee on Sunday, head coach Karen Findlay has made minimal changes to the side who played England last Saturday in Esher.

Promoted from the bench to make her first start is flanker Jade Konkel, while hooker Nikki McLeod joins the substitutes, her last of four international outings being in 2009 against the Netherlands. Findlay said: “It is now down to the players to find it within themselves to produce a performance, to do themselves and all involved justice for all the genuine, real hard work that has been done and the improvements the team have actually made as a group.”

Team: Steph Johnston (RHC Cougars), Annabel Sergeant (Richmond), Sarah Dixon (RHC Cougars), Lisa Ritchie (Carlisle), Megan Gaffney (Hillhead Jordanhill), Tanya Griffith (RHC Cougars), Louise Dalgliesh (RHC Cougars), Heather Lockhart (Hillhead Jordanhill), Sarah Quick (Murrayfield Wanderers), Tracey Balmer (Worcester), Lindsay Wheeler (Richmond), Bridget Millar-Mills (Worcester), Jade Konkel (Hillhead Jordanhill), Tess Forsberg (Richmond), Susie Brown (c) (Richmond). Subs: Beth Dickens (Murrayfield Wanderers), Suzanne McKerlie-Hex (Murrayfield Wanderers), Nikki McLeod (Morgan), Becca Parker (Hillhead Jordanhill), Mary Lafaiki (Hillhead Jordanhill), Sarah Law (Murrayfield Wanderers), Leanne Neary (Murrayfield Wanderers),Lauren Harris (Melrose).