The Head of Performance of Women's Rugby at the University of Edinburgh is hoping the renewed energy behind the league will continue the upward trajectory of the student game.
After playing and scoring in the first-ever Edinburgh-Glasgow women’s derby in the Celtic Challenge, it has left emerging talent Poppy Fletcher hungry for more.
With Exeter losing their unbeaten record and Edinburgh closing the gap to Cardiff Met, both BUCS Super Rugby and the Women's National League showcased its famed unpredictability.
Cruikshank is one of several excellent coaches in charge of women's rugby programmes at university level and experiencing a World Cup will only help drive the standards at Edinburgh and across the BUCS National League.
A core of past and present Edinburgh University players run through Scotland's World Cup squad and Smith is certainly a talent to look out for in New Zealand.