Scotland women’s coach Keith Joss and Porcelanosa Kelburne striker Julie Bryce have something to prove taking on Ireland in their three tests matches this weekend at Banbridge.
 
Bryce is getting a belated chance to resurrect her international career as Western`s Sam Judge has failed to recover from a knee injury.  Bryce has been an integral part of the Paisley side this season, and scored two goals against Western in an unprecedented 6-2 victory, earning her chance to shine at the next level.          

The women also have their own sprinkling of Olympic experience, and coach Joss noted:  “It`s great to have Laura Bartlett back in the squad following her Olympic experience.  Both her and Becky Ward are involved with the GB U20 programme in preparation for the forthcoming Australian Youth Olympics in the New Year, and hopefully these matches will help in that process as well."

Joss added: "In terms of targets, we`ll be looking to win the series.  Ireland are now ranked 15th in the world, and we`re 23rd, but we believe this ranking position is lower than reality; we`ve always been close to Ireland over the past five years."

Ireland`s position may be reality as they came third in the Olympic qualifier in Vancouver last year following a 2-1 victory over Canada in the bronze play-off.  But the Scots were not eligible to play independently in any Olympic competition, so their international ranking took a downward spiral.
 
Yet in the Celtic Cup in Cork last summer the Scots fought out a 1-1 draw with Ireland with Milne Craig Western striker Holly Cram getting Scotland on the board. Scotland went on to take the cup on goal difference from their hosts.
 
There are no new caps in the squad, but youngsters Emily Maguire from Porcelanosa Kelburne and Grove duo Becky Merchant and Nikki Kidd return from duty with the U21 team over the summer.
 
The only obvious absentee is defender Catriona Forrest, now with Dutch side Klein Zwitzerland.

Women's Squad:
Dow, Carmin
Maguire, Emily
Merchant, Rebecca
Cameron, Katrina
Munn, Louise
Bartlett, Laura
MacKay, Katie
Wrightson, Laura
Clement, Linda
Bryce, Julie
Robertson, Alisa
Bell, Alison
Cram, Holly
Kidd, Nikki
Walker, Abi
Rochlin, Emma
Ward, Becky