University of Edinburgh player Lunjika Nyirenda will make her debut for Scotland at senior level in a triple-header against Ireland in Belfast this weekend.
She steps up to join the senior squad from the Scotland under-21 set-up along with her university team-mate Amber Murray, one of the two goalkeepers picked, and one of seven selections from the Capital university.
Another Edinburgh University student, Sophie Hinds, is set to make her debut as the Scots, who travel with 19 players, face an Ireland Development squad on Saturday (18.00) before facing the Ireland senior squad on Sunday (17.00) and Monday (16,00).
Watsonians striker Sarah Jamieson (pictured by Nigel Duncan receiving her Scotland top from Jim Aitken, MBE, director of sport at the University of Edinburgh ahead of the Commonwealth Games) will captain the squad with Eve Pearson (Edinburgh University) her vice-captain and head coach Chris Duncan said it was good to get back to competitive hockey after claiming sixth position in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and promotion to the top tier of European hockey at Dunkirk in France in August.
The fixtures kick-start the build-up to next year’s European A Division in Germany and Duncan, who doubles as director of hockey at The Edinburgh Academy, said: “We were fortunate to display some really progressive performances in our build-up to and during the Commonwealth Games and in the European qualifiers. The games this weekend give us a chance to reset and begin work on some identified development needs.”
He stressed that Scotland have selected a development group for the trip with a number of senior internationals and members of the Great Britain squad left out.
The Edinburgh-based playcaller added: “We are looking forward to seeing some new players experience a senior international environment for the first time, along with testing out some more experienced players in different positions as we look to develop further strength in our squad.
“We have been impressed with the application of the players in the build-up to this series and it provides an opportunity for some to represent Scotland for the first time and others to play against a side in the world’s top 15 for the first time.”
SCOTLAND: Amber Murray, Eve Pearson, Georgia Jones, Jessica Ross, Louise Campbell, Lunjika Nyirenda, Sophie Hunds (The University of Edinburgh), Bronwyn Shields, Fran Lonergan, Millie Steiger (Clydesdale Western), Ellie Wilson, Emily Dark, Sarah Jamieson (Watsonians), Heather McEwan (Royal Victory, Belgium), Jessica Buchanan (HC Junior), Kate Holmes (Western Wildcats), Laura Swanson (Der Club An Der Alster, Germany), Mckenzie Bell (Sevenoaks HC), Ruth Blaikie (AMVJ, The Netherlands).
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