Volleyball: Capital players will pulse at the heart of Scotland side

Scotland women's volleyball team will rely on a strong Capital contingent this weekend as they seek a confidence-booster at the Novotel Cup in Luxembourg.

The young Scottish team suffered a double defeat by England in warm-up matches in Kettering last month and coach John French will look to improve in matches against Iceland, Liechtenstein and hosts Luxembourg.

Former City of Edinburgh players Jenn Thom, now playing with Emlichheim in the German Bundesliga, and Catherine Smy, now at Amiens in France, both return to the squad.

French has also selected Laura Bolton from Edinburgh Jets and Claire Penny from City of Edinburgh for this weekend's matches.

Scotland have also named a blend of youth and experience in the men's competition where they face Belarus, Luxembourg and US students Stevens College from New Jersey.

Coach Simon Loftus has included Glasgow Ragazzi's Andy McGregor, who is uncapped, and also has two players from Scottish champions City of Edinburgh, libero Barry McGuigan and Mike Penny.

"We go with a mixed squad, again using the tournament to try out some different players and see what they may be able to add for the Euro finals later in the year," he said. "I am continuing to give some of the promising young players an opportunity at international level."

Scotland had mixed fortunes in their double-header with England in Glasgow last month, losing the first encounter but coming back to win the second match comfortably.