Elliann Clarke excited for Italian job as Scotland bid to bounce back

Scotland forward Elliann Clarke is determined to atone for their heavy defeat against England and restore some pride against Italy.

The Scots followed up their opening Guinness Women’s Six Nations win over Wales with an 84-7 home loss and are looking to bounce back in Parma on Saturday.

Bristol prop Clarke said in a Scottish Rugby video: “Coming off the back of last week, we really are conscious that we want to put in a really good performance this weekend and right some wrongs from England week.

“But we’re excited to play against Italy. They’ve got some really exciting backs and they play a really fun, exciting brand of rugby to watch so I think it’ll be a challenge. It always is, it’s always a close game and it’s gone back and forward between us over the last few years.

“But in training we’ve been really excited to take some steps forward and really get into them up front and in set-piece and just prove ourselves a bit further from last week.”

Clarke outlined two key features they are looking to showcase.

The 25-year-old, who has represented Scotland at two Women’s Rugby World Cups, said “Physicality, number one, will be our first thing we’re looking for and then just a bit of skill execution.

“We really want to go out there, score some points, put on a performance that genuinely we can be proud of as players, as coaches and for the fans at home to really give them something to cheer.”