Scotland have named an experienced squad for their trip to Rome to take on the Italian national team in the next phase of preparations for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Following a highly successful training camp in Germany which saw the Scots secure a draw with the Olympic champions, national coach Lesley Hobley has decided to give some of the younger members of the squad a well-earned rest.
Under 21 Junior World Cup squad members Ali Bell (Bonagrass Grove), keeper Cath Rae (Grange) and Nikki Kidd, whose goal secured the draw with Germany, won't travel to Italy with the team.
Also being rested is Aimee Clark (Hightown) who was on international duty in Dublin for the European Championships in addition to her Junior World Cup commitments. But their replacements are more than capable of taking over; back into the squad for Italy come Cheryl Valentine and Ailsa Robertson (Bonagrass Grove) plus Scotland's most experienced player, Olympian Rhona Simpson (Giffnock).
Another boost to the squad is that Giffnock's Julie Kilpatrick now looks to be fully recovered following the illness which kept her out of the squad for Germany
The Scots will play two uncapped matches over the weekend and will provide Hobley with another opportunity to measure her squad's progress. "The objective for the trip is to build on the success of the Germany games and to maintain the level of performance we achieved there. Italy will provide a different test for the team. They have had quite a lot of exposure recently including some very competitive matches against Australia and New Zealand. so we are expecting some tough matches". The Italians recently took part in the Indira Ghandi International Gold Cup in India finishing third ahead of New Zealand.
The camp will also give the Scots a sneak preview of the facilities ahead of their World Cup Qualifying matches in Rome next April.
Scotland's first match against Italy will be at 1600 on Saturday 26 November.
Scotland Women
Vikki Bunce 42 Caps
Louise Carroll 55 Caps
Linda Clement 84 Caps
Debbie McLeod 32 Caps
Lou Munn 21 Caps
Ailsa Robertson 3 Caps
Cheryl Valentine 73 Caps
Jane Burley 93 Caps
Carmin Dow 2 Caps
Julie Kilpatrick 26 Caps
Ali Rowatt 53 Caps
Rhona Simpson 164 Caps
Holly Cram 13 Caps
Lou Gordon 60 Caps
Sam Judge 94 Caps
Catriona Semple 22 Caps
Management Team
Coach: Lesley Hobley
Assistant Coaches: Audrey Syme, Alan Lindsay
Manager: Ben Glencross
Match Schedule
Saturday 26 November: Scotland v Italy, 16:00
Sunday 27 November: Scotland v Italy, 10:30
