Findlay seeking Scottish improvement
After a chastening defeat at the hands of France last weekend, Scotland women's rugby head coach Karen Kindlay has made seven changes to her starting line-up for the clash against Wales.
Published by Scrum Queens, February 9th, 2011
3 minute read
Scotland lost 53-3 and conceded nine tries in the game.
Findlay said: "The France result was disappointing in that it took until half time for the players to realise that, as a team, they're capable of doing much better, especially defensively.
"They proved that in the second half by going out and not conceding a point for 25 minutes. Now they realise the speed of the game and that the intensity of rugby at international level means a clinical environment, that mistakes are costly and that, against a side like France were on the night, that every aspect of each individual's performance counts."
The team to take on Wales sees Lindsey Smith (hooker) and Beth Dickens (prop) move from the bench to the starting fifteen alongside Charlotte Veale (back row) - who made her debut as replacement last weekend - Annabel Sergeant (centre) and Stephanie Johnstone (wing). Jemma Forsyth (flanker) comes on to the bench, looking to make her Scotland debut, while Lindsay Wheeler moves to lock.
Findlay added: "This weekend we are looking to give some other players an opportunity. We have to use the next two seasons to find out about this group of players who want to be in the mix in the lead-up to 2014. In the pack some new faces such as Lindsey Smith, for example, are really working hard; that showed in their performance and they deserve the chance to start this weekend.
"It's going to be another tough test, seeing how well Wales did against England last weekend. The players know what needs to be done - it's now down to the doing."
Scotland Women v Wales Women, Sunday 13 February at Burnbrae (kick-off 2pm).
15 Caroline Collie (OA Saints) (pictured)14 Stephanie Johnston (Hillhead / Jordanhill)13 Annabel Sergeant (Dundee University)12 Lisa Martin (Murrayfield Wanderers)11 Katy Green (Murrayfield Wanderers)10 Tanya Griffith (RHC Cougars)9 Louise Dalgliesh (RHC Cougars)1 Heather Lockhart (Hillhead / Jordanhill)2 Lindsey Smith (Hillhead / Jordanhill)3 Beth Dickens (Murrayfield Wanderers)4 Katherine Muir (RAF)5 Lindsay Wheeler (Darlington Mowden Sharks)6 Charlotte Veale (Wasps)7 Ruth Slaven (Murrayfield Wanderers)8 Susie Brown (Richmond)
Substitutes16 Alison MacDonald (RHC Cougars)17 Tracey Balmer (Worcester)18 Anna Swan (Edinburgh University)19 Rosalind Murphy (Edinburgh University)20 Jemma Forsyth (Hillhead / Jordanhill)21 Victoria Blakebrough (Richmond)22 Lauren Harris (Aberdeenshire Quines)