Doyle opts for continuity

SCOTLAND coach Philip Doyle has said “same again” for his team’s match against France tomorrow, selecting the 23 who were due to see duty against Italy a fortnight ago before that match was postponed.

The group is the strongest available to the national coach with centre Hannah Smith and winger Megan Gaffney having returned to the starting line-up after missing the team’s last match, against England, due to injury.

“We’re very happy with the personnel, and we want to get a bit of continuity into that selection,” Doyle said. “It’s about the way we want to play rugby at the moment; it’s about the way we see ourselves. It’s all about attack for us.

“We are in a fortunate position to have no new injuries, so we didn’t feel the need to change the team.”

This will be Scotland’s first real home game in this Six Nations, as the game against England had to be switched to Murrayfield and played behind closed doors a day later than planned after Scotstoun was deemed unplayable because of bad weather.

“These girls absolutely adore Scotstoun,” Doyle added. “We came in yesterday and they were saying it’s great to be home: it doesn’t matter the opposition, it’s just great to be home again.”

Scotland (v France at Scotstoun, Saturday 7.45pm): C Rollie; R Lloyd, H Smith, L Thomson, M Gaffney; H Nelson, M McDonald; L Bartlett, L Skeldon, M Forsyth, E Wassell, S Bonar, R Malcolm (captain), R McLachlan, J Konkel. Substitutes: M Wright, P Muzambe, L Cockburn, S Cattigan, L McMillan, S Law, R Law, E Tonkin.