| SCOTLAND WOMEN SELECTED FOR PLAY-OFF WITH CANADA |
| Monday, 30 August 2010 | |
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After Saturday's bonus-point victory over Sweden at the Rugby World Cup, Scotland Women have already increased their world ranking by one place and now sit in eighth position, above both Wales and South Africa. Having reached their initial target bracket of fifth to eighth position after the pool fixtures, Scotland Women now have a return match against Canada, in the semi final play-off for fifth place at Surrey Sports Park tomorrow (kick-off 4.15pm). The selection sees Stephanie Johnston switch to full back with Lynsey Douglas replacing her on the wing. Tanya Griffith comes off the bench into the starting fifteen at stand off, along with Louise Dalgliesh at scrum half. Flanker Tess Forsberg moves to the bench, looking to win her debut cap. Said head coach, Gary Parker: "It was great to reach our short-term aim of fifth to eighth place, but our long-term aim is to be in the top six. We showed how we can play in the second half of the first pool game against Canada, and we've been building on that performance. The first twenty minutes of this game will be massive."
Scotland Women were defeated by Canada and France before the win over Sweden and, says performance manager, Jo Hull, players and coaches have been working hard to continue the improvement. "We're getting into a style of play that suits our team and we've shown, in the last two games, that we can match the physicality that's been prevalent at this World Cup. "The team have continued to be just as focused after two weeks - they know this is the most important week of the tournament." The team features a mix of experience - such as Donna Kennedy, who will be earning her 114th cap, and captain Lynne Reid - alongside younger players like Ruth Slaven and Katy Green who have come through Scottish Rugby's performance pathway. Said Hull: "We can see the results of the system we have in place before us now at this tournament. "Through the exciting, highly watchable games and the publicity generated by this World Cup, women's rugby is now making people sit up and take notice. We have to carry on this momentum, in Scotland, to get even more women and girls into the sport." Scotland Women v Canada, Surrey Sports Park, kick-off 4.15pm 15 Stephanie Johnston (Hillhead / Jordanhill) 14 Katy Green (Murrayfield Wanderers) 10 Tanya Griffith (Royal High Cougars) 1 Heather Lockhart (Hillhead / Jordanhill)
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