SCOTLAND coach Philip Doyle has said “same again” for his team’s match against France tomorrow, selecting the 23 who were due to see duty against Italy a fortnight ago before that match was postponed.
The group is the strongest available to the national coach with centre Hannah Smith and winger Megan Gaffney having returned to the starting line-up after missing the team’s last match, against England, due to injury.
“We’re very happy with the personnel, and we want to get a bit of continuity into that selection,” Doyle said. “It’s about the way we want to play rugby at the moment; it’s about the way we see ourselves. It’s all about attack for us.
“We are in a fortunate position to have no new injuries, so we didn’t feel the need to change the team.”
This will be Scotland’s first real home game in this Six Nations, as the game against England had to be switched to Murrayfield and played behind closed doors a day later than planned after Scotstoun was deemed unplayable because of bad weather.
“These girls absolutely adore Scotstoun,” Doyle added. “We came in yesterday and they were saying it’s great to be home: it doesn’t matter the opposition, it’s just great to be home again.”
Doyle knows that France are particularly formidable opposition, as they showed in beating Wales 53-0 in Cardiff a fortnight ago, and he knows that his pack in particular have to be up for the physical challenge.
“Against France we need them to front up at the breakdown, because France do a lot of counter-rucking, so it’s about producing that all-important quick ruck for us. France are obviously very big and mobile and are a great off-loading side, so we must stop that first ball-carrier - the first-up collision is paramount.
“All bodes well for a good match. At the end of the day when you’re playing France it’s down to mindset. As coaches we can only put in place the game plan in defence and attack, but at the end of the day it’s up to the girls to bring the right mindset and they're looking forward to doing that.”
Scotland (v France at Scotstoun, Saturday 7.45pm): C Rollie; R Lloyd, H Smith, L Thomson, M Gaffney; H Nelson, M McDonald; L Bartlett, L Skeldon, M Forsyth, E Wassell, S Bonar, R Malcolm (captain), R McLachlan, J Konkel. Substitutes: M Wright, P Muzambe, L Cockburn, S Cattigan, L McMillan, S Law, R Law, E Tonkin.
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