Scotland Women head coach Karen Findlay has today announced a 27-strong training squad for Scotland Women’s 2012 RBS 6 Nations championship.

The Scots’ first game is at home against England on Sunday 5 February and culminates away against Italy on Sunday 18 March.

Findlay said: “England at home is a massive challenge. Last year we fielded an incredibly young, inexperienced team down at Twickenham. It’ll be good to see the hard work we’ve done since then coming to fruition against the same opposition at Lasswade this year.

“I think there will be huge support for the England home game. The local community was fantastic in supporting our games at Lasswade last year – it’s a superb pitch with great facilities. Stirling is a new location for us, for the France game. I think it’s important that we do as good a job as we can to move the women’s game around Scotland so that as many people as possible get the chance to see women’s sport at this level.”

Though the bulk of the training squad features players relatively new to Scotland Women , experience features in the shape of number 8 Susie Brown, scrum half Louise Dalgliesh and lock Lindsay Wheeler, with 50, 49 and 47 caps respectively. The only uncapped member of the squad is second row Bridget Millar-Mills.
Scotland Women training squad
1  Tracy Balmer (Worcester)
2  Susie Brown (Richmond)
3  Caroline Collie (OA Saints)
4  Louise Dalgliesh (RHC Cougars)
5  Beth Dickens (Murrayfield Wanderers)
6  Sarah Dixon (Stirling County)
7  Tess Forsberg (Richmond)
8  Jemma Forsyth (Hillhead / Jordanhill)
9  Katy Green  (Murrayfield Wanderers)
10  Tanya Griffith (RHC Cougars)
11  Lauren Harris (Melrose)
12  Steph Johnston (RHC Cougars)
13  Mary Lafaiki (Cartha QP)
14  Heather Lockhart (Hillhead / Jordanhill)
15  Alison Macdonald (RHC Cougars)
16  Lisa Martin (Murrayfield Wanderers)
17  Suzanne McKerlie-Hex  (Murrayfield Wanderers)
18  Bridget Millar-Mills (Waterloo)
19  Kath Muir  (Richmond)
20  Sarah Quick (Murrayfield Wanderers)
21  Lisa Ritchie (Carlisle)
22  Sarah Sexton (Murrayfield Wanderers)
23  Ruth Slaven (Murrayfield Wanderers)
24  Laura Steven (Murrayfield Wanderers)
25  Anna Swan (RHC Cougars)
26  Charlie Veale (London Wasps)
27  Lindsay Wheeler (Richmond)

Scotland Women’s RBS 6 Nations fixtures are as below, with free entry to both home matches.
Sunday 5 February, Scotland v England, Lasswade RFC, kick-off 5pm
Sunday 12 February, Wales v Scotland, Cross Keys RFC, kick-off 1pm
Saturday 25 February, Scotland v France, Stirling County RFC, kick-off 2pm
Friday 9 March, Ireland v Scotland, Ashbourne RFC, kick-off 7.30pm
Sunday 18 March, Italy v Scotland, Rovato Stadium, Brescia, kick-off 2.30pm
Sunday 12 February, Wales v Scotland, Cross Keys RFC, kick-off 1pm
Saturday 25 February, Scotland v France, Stirling County RFC, kick-off 2pm
Friday 9 March, Ireland v Scotland, Ashbourne RFC, kick-off 7.30pm
Sunday 18 March, Italy v Scotland, Rovato Stadium, Brescia, kick-off 2.30p