Scotland eager to spring a surprise

Preview

France v Scotland

Today. 3.15pm

WINLESS Scotland have made three changes ahead of today's match at Grand Slam-hunting France.

Lisa Thomson and Jade Konkel-Roberts return, while Liz Musgrove is promoted from the bench to start on the wing. There is also one positional change as Evie Gallagher moves from No.8 to flanker.

Thomson will win her 50th cap having recently competed at the sevens World Series event in Hong Kong, claiming a third place finish with GB.

Coach Bryan Easson said: “It's brilliant to see Lisa get her 50th cap, she's been a stalwart for Scotland for a long time. It's also fantastic to welcome back Jade, she brings a wealth of experience into the pack.

“Following the first two rounds, we've seen two or three things that we need to fix, including our speed of play and being more clinical in the gold zone.”

Scotland started with a 58-7 away loss to England and last time out fell to a 34-22 home defeat to Wales.

France started with two away wins, against Italy 22-12 before demolishing Ireland 53-3. They make seven changes to the side, the most notable at fly-half where Jessy Trémoulière will make her first start of her final campaign before retirement. Emilie Boulard is back at 15, with Mélissande Llorens on the wing. Yllana Brosseau and Assia Khalfaoui come into the front row, while Maëlle Picut earns a first start at lock in place of the injured Manaé Feleu. Gaëlle Hermet gets her first start of the campaign in the back row, with uncapped prop Ambre Mwayembe and fit-again No.8 Romane Ménager.