Jade Konkel returns to the Scotland Women’s side after injury as they prepare to take on Italy in their final Six Nations match on Friday night.
The Scots go into the match at Broadwood Stadium (6.20pm) looking to make it two wins from five in the championship.
Three weeks ago they defeated Wales 15-14 for their first victory in the event since 2010 and another positive result would certainly show that the team is on the up.
To do that they will have to bounce back from last Saturday’s 64-0 thumping by England at the Twickenham Stoop, but having key player Konkel back is a big boost.
The 23-year-old No.8 is a talismanic figure and she says she is ready to return to the fray after hand and leg injuries saw her miss the trip south.
“I always had in my mind that I would be back fit for the Italy match and ever since I was injured a few weeks ago that has been my focus,” the Hillhead/Jordanhill player stated.
“The score against England was not what we had hoped for, but they are second in the world and a very clinical outfit and we can definitely take some positives from the way the girls played.
“We also have the memories of the Wales win to look back on and our focus is on beating a tough Italy side and recording two wins in the tournament.”
As well as Konkel, Edinburgh University prop Katie Dougan earns her first start at tighthead while if Heather Lockhart, another front-rower, comes off the bench she will set a record of 59 appearances in the Six Nations.
Winger Lauren Harris returns to the bench at the expense of Abi Evans for the Cumbernauld clash which is before the under-20s encounter.
Scotland squad: Chloe Rollie; Megan Gaffney, Lisa Thomson, Lisa Martin (C), Rhona Lloyd; Helen Nelson, Sarah Law; Tracey Balmer, Lana Skeldon, Katie Dougan, Emma Wassell, Deborah McCormack, Jemma Forsyth, Louise McMillan, Jade Konkel. Subs: Rachel Malcolm, Heather Lockhart, Lindsey Smith, Sarah Bonar, Lyndsay O'Donnell, Jenny Maxwell, Lauren Harris, Eilidh Sinclair.
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