The 2014 RBS Six Nations tournament kicks off this weekend with current holders Wales hosting Italy on Saturday, while England travel to Paris to play France on the same day. The final fixture of the weekend sees Scotland playing against Ireland in Dublin.
The senior mens Six Nations tournament attracts most of the attention but let us not forget that the women and juniors (under 20s) also take part in their section of the competition. Ireland won the womens tournament last year while England are the current holders of the U20s title.
Scotland women and the U20s will both play against Ireland on Friday night in Ireland.
The team news courtesy of SRU follows.
Scotland Women to face Ireland
Scotland Women head coach, Jules Maxton, has named her team to take on current Grand Slam Champions Ireland, with a vision of building for the future. Maxton, in her first campaign as head coach, has named four uncapped players to head to Dublin for the opening match of the 2014 Six Nations Championship.
Following an intense training camp last weekend (25 – 26 January), Deborah McCormack, Lisa Robertson, Emma Wassel and Anna Stodter have all been given the chance to gain their first cap with their inclusion in the squad.
The youthful squad will still have an essence of experience, with old heads Lindsay Wheeler, Heather Lockhart and Louise Dalgliesh – all whom have broke the 60 cap mark – named in the travelling 23.
Maxton, said: “The uncapped players named are those we see as having great potential for the future, with one of the aims for this season being to provide opportunities for new players moving forward over the next few seasons. “For us it’s about the balance of having experience, and developing and rebuilding our team.
“We’ve got the return of Ruth Slaven, Lisa Martin and Gillian Inglis, all whom have a great deal of experience and are very important for our team. “This is a new team and this weekend we want to set the standard for ourselves. We can’t just say we want to win, we have to look at how we achieve that. We’re working really hard on what our performance outcomes are for the game and if we can improve on them on a week to week basis, the wins will come.”
Scotland will face the Ireland, at Ashbourne RFC, near Dublin on Friday 31 January in a 7.30pm kick-off.
Scotland Women’s Team to face Ireland Women
15. Stephanie Johnston – 22 caps, Worcester
14. Katy Green – 21 caps, Darlington Mowden Park
13. Annabel Sergeant – 12 caps, Richmond
12. Gillian Inglis – 3 caps, Melrose
11. Megan Gaffney – 9 caps, Hillhead-Jordanhill
10. Lisa Martin – 14 caps, Murrayfield Wanderers
9. Sarah Law – 8 caps, Murrayfield Wanderers
1. Tracy Balmer – 20 caps, Worcester (captain)
2. Sarah Quick – 19 caps, Murrayfield Wanderers
3. Lindsay Smith – 15 caps, Hillhead-Jordanhill
4. Jade Konkel – 7 caps, Hillhead-Jordanhill
5. Deborah McCormack – Uncapped, Richmond
6. Tess Forsberg – 18 caps, Richmond
7. Ruth Slaven – 31 caps, Murrayfield Wanderers
8. Lindsay Wheeler – 61 caps, Saracens
Replacements:
16. Nikki McLeod – 9 caps, Stirling County
17. Lisa Robertson – Uncapped, Murrayfield Wanderers
18. Heather Lockhart – 66 caps, Hillhead-Jordanhill
19. Emma Wassel – Uncapped, Murrayfield Wanderers
20. Anna Stodter – Uncapped, Loughborough University
21. Louise Dalgliesh – 62 caps, RHC Cougars
22. Tanya Griffiths – 44 caps, RHC Cougars
23. Laura Steven – 31 caps, Murrayfield Wanderers
Spinks to captain Scotland U20’s
In his second season with Scotland under-20, flanker Tommy Spinks will lead the side against their Irish counterparts on Friday (31 January, Athlone, k/o 7.05pm) and is looking to emulate the captain who led his side to victory against the Irish last year.
Spinks said: “When I was involved in the squad last year we had a great captain in Jonny Gray who combined all the elements of leadership with his ability on the field. “Leadership is obviously a massive part of the role, to be someone that players can look to in challenging times, and I’m looking forward to taking that responsibility.”
Spinks, who came off the bench to play against Ireland in the 21-20 win at Netherdale last year, is under no illusions of the task ahead this weekend.
He said: “We expect Ireland to come out firing. We showed last year that we can beat them and, if we stick to our game plan, I’m sure we can bring it to them again.”
Head coach Sean Lineen has opted for a range of experience in the team, with four of the starting XV – Spinks, props James Malcolm and D’arcy Rae, and centre Damien Hoyland – veterans of last year’s match against Ireland amidst newcomers to the squad this year, including the most recent recruit, Ben Chalmers, who starts at 10.
Having edged Ireland at home last year, Lineen expects a tough, physical meeting with the Irish in Athlone on Friday night.
He said: “Mike Ruddock’s been there a while as head coach and he’s done a great job. The Irish youth system’s strong, through their clubs and schools, and they’re pretty hardy lads, tough and aggressive. “We have to match them physically and, defensively, be a bit more clever in where and how we play. “It’s always a cracking game, against Ireland, and we know they’ll want to get one back on us this year but we’re looking forward to it – this is what representing Scotland is all about.”
Scotland under 20 Team to face Ireland under 20s
15. Gavin Lowe – (Glasgow Hawks/Glasgow Warriors) **
14. Jamie Farndale – (Edinburgh Accies/Edinburgh Rugby) **
13. Damien Hoyland – (Melrose) *
12. Neil Herron – (Glasgow Hawks/Scotland 7s)
11. Sam Pecqueur – (Edinburgh Accies)
10. Ben Chalmers – (Melrose)
9. Murdo McAndrew – (Clermont Auvergne)
1. James Malcolm – (Ayr) *
2. Sam James – (London Wasps)
3. D’arcy Rae – (Ayr/Glasgow Warriors) **
4. Andrew Cramond – (Aberdeen Grammar)
5. Glen Young – (Newcastle Falcons)
6. Magnus Bradbury – (Boroughmuir/Edinburgh Rugby) **
7. Tommy Spinks – (London Scottish) (captain)
8. Buchan Richardson – (London Scottish)
Replacements:
16. Ross Graham – (Hawick)
17. Philip Cringle – (Edinburgh Accies/Edinburgh Rugby) **
18. Jack Cosgrove – (Worcester Warriors)
19. Lewis Carmicheal – (Melrose) *
20. Neil Irvine-Hess – (Watsonians/Edinburgh Rugby) **
21. Ben Vellacott – (Worcester Warriors/Hartpury)
22. Ben Cooper – (Boroughmuir)
23. Ruairidh Young – (Edinburgh Accies)
* member of Scottish Rugby’s Regional Academy supported by sport Scotland Institute of Sport
**Elite Development Player 2013/14