Scotland women’s head coach Bryan Easson says that any talk of the Rugby World Cup stops now with the sole focus for his charges between now and April 26 being the Women's Six Nations.
Scotland will travel to South Africa in September to defend their WXV 2 title, kicking off their campaign on Saturday 28 September against last year’s runners-up on points difference Italy at DHL Stadium.
The Scots bounced back from their round three disappointment against England to defeat Italy 17-10 in Parma last Saturday, a victory that lifted them to third in the championship with one game remaining.
The Scottish boss was disappointed that his selection failed to fire a shot in their 0-46 home loss to England last weekend in Edinburgh and he has reacted by making two backline alterations and two more in the pack.
The Scots lost out 5-15 to France at home in round two of the Guinness Six Nations and they have now changed one of their backs and one of their forwards for their latest game in Edinburgh.
The Scots got off to a flyer last weekend in Cardiff, beating Wales 20-18 and securing their highest-ever world ranking as they moved up to the sixth in the standings.
Two debuts are on the cards for the home side as former England under-20s captain Jenny Hesketh makes her first appearance in a Welsh shirt, while Sian Jones will make her debut if used from the bench.
Holland Bogan and Lucy MacRae are certainly two to look out for in the coming years, the teenage duo being part of the Scotland under-18 XVs and sevens squad in 2023 and also being in Italy for the aforementioned Futures trip.
How did Scotland pull off their first win in over a year? What did they get right that they didn’t in the first three rounds of the Six Nations? Well, one factor was their kicking game, backed up by their brutal defence.
Scottish Rugby has announced professional contracts have been awarded to 28 players, as part of its continued investment into the women’s game.