Martin to start in women’s final game

Lisa Martin starts at inside centre with Lisa Ritchie moving to the bench, while Tess Forsberg and Ruth Slaven are switched similarly at openside flanker. Flanker Mary Lafaiki returns from injury on the bench. The match marks a return journey for full back Steph Johnston who made her debut against Italy away two years ago, when the teams drew. Johnston says: “I didn’t really expect to get on, then, when there was an injury, I just had to go on and do the job.”

Team: S Johnston (RHC Cougars); K Green (Murrayfield Wndrs), Laura Steven (Murrayfield Wndrs), Lisa Martin (Murrayfield Wndrs), Sarah Dixon (Stirling County); Tanya Griffith (RHC Cougars), Louise Dalgliesh (RHC Cougars); Tracy Balmer (Worcester), Sarah Quick (Murrayfield Wndrs), Beth Dickens (Murrayfield Wndrs), Anna Swan (RHC Cougars), Jemma Forsyth (Hillhead/Jordanhill), Lindsay Wheeler (Richmond), Tess Forsberg (Richmond), Susie Brown (Richmond) (c).

Tough first test for Scots in South Africa

SCOTLAND will kick-off the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa against Pool C top seeds, Australia.

The game will take place on Monday 4 June at the University of the Western Cape stadium and, four days later, the Scots face France at the same venue.

The Scots, seeded fourth in their group after finishing tenth in last year’s championship in Italy, complete their pool matches on Tuesday 12 June against Argentina.

The final two knock-out rounds are on 17 June and 22 June.

This year’s tournament, the fifth to be held at under-20 level, has been lengthened by two days after concerns were raised last year about the tight schedule having an impact on player welfare because of lack of recovery time between rounds.

Shuttle bus deal for Glasgow Sevens

THE SRU and Glasgow Life have announced details of a direct shuttle bus service to help supporters make their way to and from the inaugural Emirates Airline Glasgow Sevens this May. Running regularly from Glasgow city centre to Scotstoun Stadium, ticket holders for the tournament can add the shuttle service for just £2 return for adults and £1 return for children. Buses will operate from Buchanan Bus Station throughout the day to make travelling to the event as easy and convenient as possible.

There are just three days to go until the close of the Early Bird offer with fans able to pick up a day ticket for the Emirates Airline Glasgow Sevens for just £10. (Offer closes Saturday 17 March).