Easson on England challenge, Malcolm absence & McLachlan milestone

Head coach Bryan Easson has been speaking to the media before Scotland face England in the Women's Six Nations this weekend.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Easson admits the 25-17 defeat by Italy last Sunday was a "step back rather than a step forward."

• He praises his "really good leadership team" and despite missing key players - captain Rachel Malcolm and Leia Brebner-Holden - he insists: "The players that we've brought in have got a lot of experience and have played well in those fixtures in the past."

• The Scotland boss says England, who are ranked number one in the world, have the ability to "play any way they want" and can "suffocate you defensively", but his side have to try to nullify that.

• On England shuffling their squad: "No matter what changes they make, they've got world-class players coming into every single position."

• Easson is happy with the depth of his squad and says the national team "has grown over the last few years and we want to continue to push that" as three players - Gemma Bell, Rhea Clarke and Rachel Philipps - could make a debut off the bench.

• Malcolm misses her first game in four years and Easson says: "Rachel is a huge part of this group, on and off the pitch. She's always here, she's always working with not just the senior players but she's very, very good with the youngsters."

• On Rachel McLachlan being set to earn her 50th cap: "It's a privilege to work with a player like Rachel, they just want to leave that jersey in a better place."