WHEN Lisa Thomson made her Scotland debut last year against England she admits she was nervous, but now the 18-year-old is one of the key players in Shade Munro’s side.
And the centre will have a big part to play this afternoon when the Scots look to build on the Wales victory against a very good England side at the Twickenham Stoop (kick-off 1pm).
Looking back on her first cap 13 months ago, she said: “I never really thought I would start the opening match in the Six Nations last year.
“When my name was read out a few days before the England match it was a great feeling, but after it sunk it I started to feel quite nervous.
“All of my friends and family were talking about it and getting excited which was great, but really I just wanted to get out there on the pitch and play.
“Singing the national anthem was really good and then I just wanted to get my hands on the ball quickly. I managed to do that and make a tackle in defence and from there I felt I felt a bit calmer and just concentrated on the rugby.”
Since then she has gone on to earn a further nine caps and the teenager from Hawick scored the crucial first try that helped beat Wales a fortnight ago.
“We were 14-0 down, so the try just before was really important as it gave us belief heading into the second half,” she recounts.
“To come away with the 15-14 win left us feeling good heading into this one against England, but we know it will be a massive test down there.”
For the match, back-row Sarah Bonar comes into the starting XV with Jade Konkel out.
Amongst the replacements, Rachael Cook and Abi Evans are added.
Scotland squad: Chloe Rollie; Megan Gaffney, Lisa Thomson, Lisa Martin (C), Rhona Lloyd; Helen Nelson, Sarah Law; Tracey Balmer, Lana Skeldon, Lindsey Smith, Emma Wassell, Deborah McCormack, Sarah Bonar, Louise McMillan, Jemma Forsyth. Subs: Lucy Park, Heather Lockhart, Katie Dougan, Rachael Cook, Lyndsay O'Donnell, Jenny Maxwell, Eilidh Sinclair, Abi Evans.
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