Women hope to build on rare away point

HAVING registered a win, a defeat and a draw in the championship to date, Scotland Women take on England Women at Meggetland on Friday in the fourth match of the campaign.

The last match, a draw with Italy two weeks ago, was the first time Scotland's women hadn't lost away from home in the Championship since 2006 and this week sees an unchanged side taking on their English counterparts.

Head coach Gary Parker said: "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.

"The next challenge couldn't be greater though, as the world's best side, England, 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, as last year's result demonstrated. We know the challenge that England will pose and this game will allow us to further measure the improvements we have made this season."

Scotland Women (team to face England Women at Meggetland on Friday, kick-off 1.30pm): Celia Hawthorn (Edinburgh University); Lynsey Douglas (London Wasps), Lucy Millard (Team Northumbria), Veronica Fitzpatrick (RHC Cougars), Victoria Blakebrough (Richmond); Tanya Griffith (RHC Cougars), Louise Dalgliesh (RHC Cougars); Heather Lockhart (Hillhead/Jordanhill), Sarah-Louise Walker (Watsonians), Gillian McCord (RHC Cougars), Louise Moffat (Murrayfield Wanderers), Lindsay Wheeler (Team Northumbria), Lynne Reid (RHC Cougars, capt), Susie Brown (Richmond), Donna Kennedy (Worcester). Subs: Sarah Quick (Murrayfield Wanderers), Beth Dickens (Murrayfield Wanderers), Natalya Macholla (Stirling County), Ruth Slaven (Murrayfield Wanderers), Sarah Gill (Murrayfield Wanderers), Laura Steven (Murrayfield Wanderers), Stephanie Johnston (Hillhead/Jordanhill).