Konkel back to bolster Scots for French test

Jade Konkel’s return from injury has given Scotland a much-needed boost ahead of a match against France which head coach Shade Munro has described as “a challenge and a half ”.

The Harlequins No 8 is one of four personnel changes from the side that lost at home to Ireland a fortnight ago, coming into the back row in place of the injured blindside Rachel Malcolm. Sarah Bonar, who was at No 8 in the 22-5 defeat by the Irish, moves to the No 6 jersey.

The other change in the pack is at lock, where Nicola Howat takes over from Debs Mccormack. Rhona Lloyd returns to the right wing in place of the unavailable Liz Musgrove and, at scrum-half, Sarah Law starts with Jenny Maxwell on the bench.

Scotland, who also lost to Italy in their opening Six Nations fixture, go into tomorrow’s game as rank outsiders against a French side who lost to England last time out but got their campaign under way by crushing Wales 52-3.

“Jade coming back in is really good from a confidence point of view,” Munro said. “Just having her walk into the team room rubs off on everyone else andtransfersintothetraining as well, because she is a leader by nature and also leads by the way she plays. She hasn’t played for a while, but she’ll definitely make a difference.”

France look like being the best of the rest in the tournament behind England and Munro is under no illusions about the scale of the task facing his team. He said: “It’s a challenge and a half playing against France – there’s no two ways about it. France are tough.”