Women's Six Nations: Scotland coach Bryan Easson says Women's Six Nations will 'get tighter'
- Published
Bryan Easson hopes Jade Konkel-Roberts' move to lock will give Scotland "an extra ball carrying option"
Women's Six Nations: Scotland v Italy |
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Venue: DAM Health Stadium, Edinburgh Date: Saturday, 22 April Kick-off: 16:45 BST |
Coverage: Live on BBC Scotland, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport Scotland website |
The Women's Six Nations will become more competitive, says Scotland head coach Bryan Easson in response to Simon Middleton's views.
The England boss said this week the competition cannot "continue in the guise it is" and added: "We have to close this gap."
Scotland have lost their opening three matches in this year's championship.
"I disagree with him. It will over time be a lot tighter," said Easson before Saturday's home match with Italy.
"Professionalism takes time. France and England, they've been professional for a long time. It'll come, but it takes time."
The Scots, who announced 28 professional contracts last year, are on a losing streak of 12 successive Tests, with Sunday's 55-0 loss in France following a heavy defeat by England and a closer match against Wales.
Jade Konkel-Roberts moves from the back row to lock for Italy's visit while Lisa Thomson moves from inside to outside centre.
Meryl Smith is in at inside centre with Emma Orr out with concussion, with second row Lyndsay O'Donnell dropping out.
Coreen Grant replaces Liz Musgrove on the wing and Mairi McDonald takes over at scrum-half from Caity Mattinson.
Rachel McLachlan joins captain Rachel Malcolm and Evie Gallagher in the back row, with the latter moving from openside to number 8 to accommodate McLachlan.
Fly-half Helen Nelson wins her 50th cap and Francesca McGhie continues on the left wing, despite coming off injured last week.
"The minds are good, we're well organised and ready go and we know what to expect this weekend," said Easson.
"It's really nice to be at home, it's nice to know that we've got two games in front of a home crowd. There have been some glimpses over the three games that we have got something in us.
"We're playing against two teams that probably are at the same level as us. Just to have that young inexperienced team playing against these teams will be good for everybody."
Scotland: C Rollie, C Grant, L Thomson, M Smith, F McGhie, H Nelson, M McDonald; L Bartlett, L Skeldon, C Belisle, J Konkel-Roberts, L McMillan, R Malcolm (capt), R McLachlan, E Gallacher.
Replacements: J Rettie, A Young, E Clarke, E Donaldson, E Sinclair, C Mattinson, B Blacklock, L Musgrove.