6 Nations – Round 3 Team News

Scotland v England, Saturday February 23, 2018, 7pm (Live on Sky Sports Mix HD)

Two players from the same club will captain their countries against each other this weekend with DMP Sharks duo Katy Daley-Mclean and Lisa Martin captaining England and Scotland respectively. The two players will also be in direct opposition to each other, with both wearing the number 10 shirt.

Daley-Mclean, a former England captain, will take on duties she is well experienced in, in place of Sarah Hunter who is out due to a minor injury. Also missing for England is centre Rachael Burford, though both are expected to be fit for later rounds.

Promising young centre Lagi Tuima gets a start at outside centre with Lauren Cattell taking Burford's number 12 shirt.  Elsewhere, Vickii Cornborough. Rowena Burnfield and Izzy Noel-Smith makes their first starts of the Championship. Remarkably, Rochelle Clark will win her 135th cap this weekend.

England coach Simon Middleton said: "Scotland are an extremely competitive side, they play with a lot of energy and passion and we expect a really tough contest for a full 80 minutes on Friday night at the Scotstoun.

"We are using the full breadth of the playing squad available to us for this Test, allowing us look at different combinations across the starting 15. We are really confident in the depth and quality of this side and know that new players selected to start and those coming in on the bench will take full advantage of this opportunity."Scotland meanwhile have made just one change. Sarah Bonar, who was a late withdrawal in the last round, returns to the starting line-up in the back-row alongside Jade Konkel, who retains her place as number 8.Prop Siobhan McMillan makes her second start for her country after taking a spot in the front-row last week after Konkel moved to the loose forwards due to Bonar’s injury and Scrum-half Mhairi Grieve joins the match-day 23 for the first time this championship.Coach Shade Munro said: “The team’s continuity reflects the effort and commitment the squad showed against a powerful and dangerous side. Our execution was good given the difficult playing conditions but England are one of the best teams in the world so we will need to be at the top of our game.”Match Facts

England have won all 11 meetings between these sides in the current format of the Six Nations, keeping Scotland scoreless in eight of those clashes.

Scotland have won two of their last three home games, although they suffered defeat in their most recent game on home soil, against France.

England are aiming for a 50th win in the Six Nations in the current format (since 2007) and are also eight points shy of recording 2,000 in the competition.

England have won their last seven in a row in the Six Nations, each victory coming by double figure margins.

There have been 59 points per game on average in clashes between Scotland and England in the Six Nations, the highest scoring fixture in the current format of the Championship.

England:Ellie Kildunne (Gloucester-Hartpury), Danielle Waterman (Wasps FC Ladies), Lagi Tuima (Bristol Ladies), Lauren Cattell (Saracens Women), Charlotte Pearce (Loughborough Lightning), Katy Daley-Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Leanne Riley (Harlequins Ladies), Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins Ladies), Amy Cokayne (Wasps FC Ladies), Sarah Bern (Gloucester Hartpury), Abbie Scott (Harlequins Ladies), Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Rowena Burnfield (Richmond F.C), Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol Ladies), Poppy Cleall (Saracens Women).Replacements:Lark Davies (Worcester Valkyries), Rochelle Clark (Wasps FC Ladies), Justine Lucas (Wasps FC Ladies), Catherine O'Donnell (Loughborough Lightning), Marlie Packer (Saracens Women), Caity Mattinson (Bristol Ladies), Amber Reed (Bristol Ladies), Kelly Smith (Gloucester-Hartpury).

Scotland:Chloe Rollie (Lille Metropole Rugby Club Villeneuvois), Liz Musgrove (Edinburgh University),  Lisa Thomson (Lille Metropole Rugby Club Villeneuvois), Helen Nelson (Murrayfield Wanderers), Rhona Lloyd (Edinburgh University), Lisa Martin (DMP Sharks), Sarah Law (Edinburgh University/Murrayfield Wanderers), Siobhan McMillan (Hillhead/Jordanhill), Lana Skeldon* (Watsonians), Megan Kennedy* (Stirling County). Emma Wassell (Murrayfield Wanderers), Deborah McCormack (Harlequins), Sarah Bonar (Loughborough Lightning), Rachel Malcolm (Loughborough Lightning), Jade Konkel** (Lille Metropole Rugby Club Villeneuvois)ReplacementsJodie Rettie (Thurrock), Mags Lowish (Loughborough Lightning), Lindsey Smith (Hillhead/Jordanhill), Siobhan Cattigan (Stirling County/Stirling Univeristy), Louise McMillan* (Hillhead/Jordanhill), Mhairi Grieve* (Firwood Waterloo), Hannah Smith (Hillhead/Jordanhill), Lauren Harris (Edinburgh University)

France v Italy,Stade Furiani, Saturday, 24 February 2018, Kick-off: 21:00,

France arrive in Corsica for their first test match on the island, though it is a location they are familiar with as it has been used a training venue for some years. Although this fixture has been somethng of a banana skin in recent years away from home, at home the French have rarely struggled and it is unlikely they will do this weekend.

The merits of playing a full round of Top 8 games in the Six Nations "rest" weekend are again questioned as it has resulted in France losing the services of Jade le Pesq, who has been a standout player in the opening two games, not least due to her ability to switch between three different positions in the game. But she is out until at least the next round, requiring a small reshuffle that sees Pauline Bourdon - who has been a great 10, start at scrumhalf.

Last year's U20 captain Fiona Lecat - who has been attracting some column inches in the French press since coming on against Scotland - gets her first start at No 8. Another of the new generation of French players who started young (aged 5 in her case) - a couple of World Cups ago this would have been remarkable as most players started in their teens or at university. Now teenage players with 10 years rugby experience is becoming quite very common in the French squad.

Italy are not injury free with Giorgia Durante received an early call up in place of Eleonora Ricci, and now an ankle inury for Lucia Gai has resulted in Chiara Maria D'Apice joining the team for a possible debut.Other changes mainly affect the pack with Gaia Giacomoli and Michela Merlo starting in place of Ricci and Gai.

Hooker Melissa Bettoni, plus Sofia Stefan and Ilaria Arrighetti, are a trio of players from Rennes, with the Breton club having more representatives in the in the Italian team than the the French team.

In second row Elisa Pillotti will join Giordana Duca instead of Valentina Ruzza, who is also out due to injury. Ilaria Arrighetti will wear the jersey n.6 leaving the role of n.8 to Giada Franco who had such a brilliant debut last weekend; and alongside them is Isabella Locatelli.Scrumhalf Sara Barattin teams up with Veronica Madia, and wins her 80th cap, putting her thind in Italy's all-time list behind just Michela Tondinelli (87) and Veronica Schiavon (82)."We come into the game with memories of the match of November against France where for a good hour of play we matched them by showing great domination in all phases of the game" says coach Andrea Di Giandomenico. "But it will be a different match inside the Tournament in we will have to work as hard as possible because we know that France during the 6 Nations is able to raise themselves to a very high standard of play. But we are confident; the performance of the girls within the tournament is always improving. Our goal is to raise the level and quality of our performance while obviously looking at the result ".

France:1. Caroline Thomas (ASM Romagnat Rugby Féminin); 2. Agathe Sochat (Montpellier RC); 3. Julie Duval (Ovalie Caennaise); 4. Céline Ferer (AS Bayonnaise); 5. Safi N’diaye (Montpellier RC); 6. Marjorie Mayans (Blagnac Rugby Féminin); 7. Gaëlle Hermet (Stade Toulousain) – capitain; 8. Fiona Lecat (Stade Toulousain); 9. Pauline Bourdon (AS Bayonnaise); 10. Caroline Drouin (Stade Rennais Rugby); 11. Cyrielle Banet (Montpellier RC); 12. Camille Boudaud (Stade Toulousain); 13. Carla Neisen (Blagnac Rugby Féminin); 14. Caroline Boujard (Montpellier RC); 15. Jessy Tremouliere (Stade Rennais Rugby);Replacements: 16. Miléna Soloch (Lille Métropole RC Villeneuvois); 17. Lise Arricastre (Lons Rugby Béarn Pyrénées); 18. Patricia Carricaburu (Lons Rugby Béarn Pyrénées); 19. Audrey Forlani (Blagnac Rugby Féminin); 20. Romane Menager (Lille Métropole RC Villeneuvois); 21. Yanna Rivoalen (Lille Métropole RC Villeneuvois); 22. Gabrielle Vernier (Lille Métropole RC Villeneuvois); 23. Marine Menager (Lille Métropole RC Villeneuvois)

Italy:15 Manuela FURLAN (Iniziative Villorba Rugby), 63 Caps; 14 Sofia STEFAN (Stade Rennais Rugby, FRA), 40 Caps; 13 Michela SILLARI (Rugby Colorno), 41 Caps; 12 Beatrice RIGONI (Valsugana Rugby Padova), 29 Caps; 11 Maria MAGATTI (Rugby Monza 1949), 23 Caps; 10 Veronica MADIA (Rugby Colorno), 8 Caps; 9 Sara BARATTIN (Iniziative Villorba Rugby) 79 Caps – Capitano; 8 Giada FRANCO (Rugby Colorno), 1 Cap; 7 Isabella LOCATELLI (Rugby Monza 1949), 18 Caps; 6 Ilaria ARRIGHETTI (Stade Rennais Rugby, FRA), 32 Caps; 5 Giordana DUCA (Frascati Rugby Club 2015), 2 Cap; 4 Elisa PILLOTTI (Chicken CUS Pavia), 10 Caps; 3 Michela MERLO (Rugby Mantova, Tutorata Rugby Colorno), 1 Cap; 2 Melissa BETTONI (Stade Rennais Rugby, FRA), 43 Caps; 1 Gaia GIACOMOLI (Rugby Colorno), 8 CapsReplacements:16 Silvia TURANI (Rugby Colorno), 2 Cap; 17 Giorgia DURANTE (Montebelluna Rugby 1977, Tutorata Benetton Treviso), 1 Cap; 18 Chiara Maria D’APICE (Montevirginio Mini Rugby), debut; 19 Miriam PAGANI (Rugby Como) Esordiente; 20 Bianca Maria COLTELLINI (Gloucestr-Hartpury, ING), Esordiente; 21 Beatrice VERONESE (Valsugana R. Padova), 3 Cap; 22 Jessica BUSATO (Inziative Villorba Rugby), 3 Caps; 23 Aura MUZZO (Iniziative Rugby Villorba), 3 Cap

Match Facts

France have won nine of their 11 Six Nations games against Italy, losing only in 2013 and 2015.

Les Bleus have won all five of their home games against Italy in the Championship and haven’t

conceded a single point at home to the Italians since 2010.

France have won their last four games in the Six Nations, their best run since winning nine in a row from 2013 to 2015.

Italy have lost their last seven games in the Championship, however their last victory did come away from home, against Wales in 2016.

At home, France have won 13 in a row in the Six Nations since losing to England in 2012; in fact, all their home defeats have come against the English (L3), winning 25 of 28 on home soil.

Ireland v Wales, Donnybrook Stadium, Sunday, February 25th, 3pmNiamh Briggs and Clarie Molloy will both be winning their 60th caps this weekend and both stalwarts will have key roles to play if they are to back up their win over Italy with another victory.Briggs has had mixed fortunes since moving to flyhalf this championship, though she will surely find her feet and prove an important asset to Ireland, if alone for her kicking ability, while Molloy was outstanding against Italy and was a key cog in the win.

Ireland have made four changes to their side to play Wales. Ciara O’Connor and Leah Lyons, who both featured off the bench in the opening rounds of the tournament, start alongside Lindsey Peat in the front row.

Nichola Fryday is partnered in the second row by Orla Fitzsimons.  Paula Fitzpatrick moves to Number 8 to accommodate the change while captain Ciara Griffin moves to the blindside. Claire Molloy completes the back-row trio.

There is one change in the backline with Claire McLaughlin starting for the injured Alison Miller alongside Megan Williams and Kim Flood.

Coach Adam Griggs said “We got a good boost after the win over Italy a fortnight ago. We did what we wanted to, played with tempo and moved the ball. While the performance was far from perfect, we set a marker down for the rest of the campaign.  We now head into a tough test on Sunday against the Welsh. We are looking to rectify some of the areas of our game that we haven't been happy with over the past few weeks and if we can make those small changes, it should be a great one."Wales have made one change with Lisa Neumann starting at fullback and that move sees Elinor Snowsill move into the fly-half position.

"Lisa has been pushing hard for a place in the starting team and she deserves her opportunity this Sunday," said head coach Rowland Phillips.

"We have a lot of talented back-three players in the squad, so we think Lisa will slot in well alongside Hannah Bluck and Jess Kavanagh-Williams - two players who pose threats from the wing. This will be a game between two very evenly-matched teams, and coming off the back of the last match we're very keen to give a good account of ourselves."

Match Facts

Ireland have won each of the last six meetings between these sides in the Championship, this after losing four of five against Wales before that.

The Irish have won their last four at home against Wales, conceding just 12 points in total in that run and scoring 89 points themselves.

Ireland have won 14 of their last 16 home games, with only France (2015) and England (2017) travelling to Ireland and coming away with victory in that run.

Wales have lost five of their last six games in the Six Nations, although their solitary victory in that run came in their opening game of this campaign against Scotland.

There have been just 23 points per game on average in fixtures between Ireland and Wales in the Six Nations, the lowest scoring fixture in the Championship.

Ireland:Kim Flood, Megan Williams, Katie Fitzhenry, Sene Naoupu, Claire McLaughlin, Niamh Briggs, Ailsa Hughes, Lindsay Peat, Ciara O'Connor, Leah Lyons, Orla Fitzsimons, Nichola Fryday, Ciara Griffin, Captain, Claire Molloy, Paula FitzpatrickReplacements:Cliodhna Moloney,  Laura Feely, Fiona Reidy, Aoife McDermott, Edel McMahon, Nicole Cronin, Michelle Claffey, Hannah TyrrellWales:Lisa Neumann, Hannah Bluck, Kerin Lake, Rebecca De Filippo, Jess Kavanagh-Williams, Elinor Snowsill, Rhiannon Parker, Caryl Thomas, Carys Phillips, Amy Evans, Siwan Lillicrap, Mel Clay, Alisha Butchers, Beth Lewis, Sioned Harries,​Replacements:Kelsey Jones, Cara Hope, Meg York, Natalia John, Nia Elen Davies, Jade Knight, Robyn Wilkins, Hannah Jones