Meggetland match a useful yardstick, says captain Reid

ON FORM back-row Lynne Reid will be the proudest woman in Edinburgh this afternoon when she leads out her country to face England at Meggetland in the Six Nations.

Captain Reid has been one of the standout players as Scotland Women have begun their renaissance in the lead up to the World Cup later this year with a win, draw and loss so far in this season's championship. However, she knows that her side will have to put in their best performance for some time if they are to beat an England outfit widely regarded as the world's best.

They defeated Ireland last time out 22-5 and back in November beat the might of New Zealand, and Reid said: "We are all looking forward to the match and pitting ourselves against the best players around. It will be a good marker for us to see how far we have come in the last few months because everything will have to click to enable us to compete with them."

Scotland, under head coach Gary Parker and assistant Jared Tuoro, have become harder to beat, as they showed by toughing out a 6-6 draw in Italy a fortnight ago. They have also scored a few tries in the tournament so far and stand-off Tanya Griffith and fellow youngster Celia Hawthorn at full-back are exciting talents for the future.

"We were disappointed not to win in Italy, but it was important not to lose and we are excited about this match and then the final trip to Ireland next weekend," Reid added.

The draw in Italy was the first time Scotland's women had avoided defeat on their travels since 2006 and the result cheered coach Parker.

"Although disappointed not to win against Italy there were still a lot of positives to take out of the game, none more so than gaining our first point on the road since 2006," he said on www.scotlandrugbyteam.org

"The next challenge couldn't be greater though, as the world's best side arrive looking to maintain their 100 per cent record in the championship. They have set the benchmark for all the teams to aspire to and can be ruthless. We know the challenge England will pose and this game will allow us to measure the improvements we have made this season."

For reigning champions England, Darlington Mowden Park Sharks' Katy McLean will captain them for the first time this season with regular skipper Catherine Spencer starting on the bench. Karen Jones, Emma Layland and Kim Oliver also return to the squad.

Scotland Women (team to face England Women at Meggetland today, kick-off 1.30pm): C Hawthorn (Edinburgh University); L Douglas (London Wasps), L Millard (Team Northumbria), V Fitzpatrick (RHC Cougars), V Blakebrough (Richmond); T Griffith (RHC Cougars), L Dalgliesh (RHC Cougars); H Lockhart (Hillhead/Jordanhill), S-L Walker (Watsonians), G McCord (RHC Cougars), L Moffat (Murrayfield Wanderers), L Wheeler (Team Northumbria), L Reid (RHC Cougars), D Kennedy (Worcester), S Brown (Richmond). Subs: S Quick (Murrayfield Wanderers), B Dickens (Murrayfield Wanderers), N Macholla (Stirling County), R Slaven (Murrayfield Wanderers), S Gill (Murrayfield Wanderers), L Steven (Murrayfield Wanderers), S Johnston (Hillhead/Jordanhill).

England Women: F Pocock; K Merchant,E Scarratt, K Oliver, A Penrith; K McLean, A Turner; C Purdy, E Layland, S Hemming, R Essex, J McGilchrist, K Jones, T Taylor, H Fisher. Subs: A Garnett, R Clark, M Alphonsi, C Spencer, L Mason, R Burford, F Matthews.