After an improved performance, though unable to turn possession into points, Scotland Women look ahead to their first home game at the new base of Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld. The team announced to take on Wales (Saturday 14 February, kick-off 17: BST & GMT) sees 4 changes to the line-up that started against France at La-Roche-sur-Yon last Saturday.

All the changes come in the backs, scrumhalf Mhairi Grieve – who will be securing her 3rd cap – moves up from the bench while Hannah Sloan comes in at wing. Injury to Gillian Inglis during the game against France sees Chloe Rollie move from centre to fullback and Hannah Smith – winning her 2nd cap – takes the No 13 jersey.

Worcester prop Tracy Balmer captains the squad again, lining up in the front-row alongside the most experienced member of the team, 72-times capped Heather Lockhart.

The team are under no illusions that they will be facing a buoyant Welsh outfit who beat England 13 / 0 last weekend, but are up for the challenge.

Head coach Jules Maxton said: “One of the things we talked about last year was reducing our deficit – which we definitely did against France last weekend – but we’re disappointed that we didn’t manage to get points on the board and that’s something that we tackled in our analysis immediately after the match. I think having home advantage is so important. We played in front of a massive French crowd last weekend, there was lots of music, and it definitely had an effect on the players.

It’s a positive having Broadwood for all 3 games as players can get used to the surroundings. While it’s good to spread the game around the country, I think this will make us more settled in our preparations.”

Meanwhile 1 member of the starting line-up, lock Emma Wassell, will be running the Scottish Government’s @Scotland Twitter account from today until next Monday (16 February), to share her build-up to Saturday’s game, how she fits training around her studies at Heriot-Watt University and the life of an amateur international rugby player. Follow her @Scotland.

Tickets for all Scotland’s home internationals at Broadwood are available online at www.scottishrugby.org priced at £ 5.00 (adults) with concessions free.

Scotland Women team: 15 Chloe Rollie (Melrose), 14 Hannah Sloan (Stewartry), 13 Hannah Smith (Hillhead Jordanhill), 12 Nuala Deans (Wasps), 11 Abi Evans (Northumbria University), 10 Lisa Martin (Murrayfield Wanderers), 9 Mhairi Grieve (RHC Cougars), 8 Jade Konkel (Hillhead Jordanhill), 7 Lyndsay O’Donnell (Worcester), 6 Karen Dunbar (RHC Cougars), 5 Emma Wassell (Murrayfield Wanderers), 4 Deborah McCormack (Richmond), 3 Tracy Balmer (Captain – Worcester), 2 Lana Skeldon (Melrose), 1 Heather Lockhart (Hillhead Jordanhill)
Replacements: 16 Sarah Quick (Murrayfield Wanderers), 17 Lindsey Smith (Hillhead Jordanhill), 18 Lisa Robertson (Murrayfield Wanderers), 19 Christianne Fahey (Murrayfield Wanderers), 20 Rachael Cook (Murrayfield Wanderers), 21 Sarah Law (Murrayfield Wanderers), 22 Claire Bain (RHC Cougars), 23 Eilidh Sinclair (Murrayfield Wanderers)

Scotland Women fixtures:

• Saturday 7 February: France Women 42 / 0 Scotland Women, Stade Henri Desgranges, La-Roche-sur-Yon
• Saturday 14 February: Scotland Women vs Wales Women, Broadwood Stadium (kick-off 17:00 BST & GMT) – Adult tickets £ 5.00, concessions FREE
• Sunday 1 March: Scotland Women vs Italy Women, Broadwood Stadium (kick-off 13:00 BST & GMT) – Adult tickets £ 5.00, concessions FREE
• Friday 13 March: England Women vs Scotland Women, Northern Echo Arena, Darlington (kick-off 19:35 BST & GMT)
• Sunday 22 March: Scotland Women vs Ireland Women, Broadwood Stadium (kick-off 13:00 BST & GMT) – Adult tickets £ 5.00, concessions FREE

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