Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm focused on Rugby World Cup after off-field distractions
The Scotland Women's Rugby World Cup squad was named on the beach in St Andrews on Thursday
©Scottish Rugby
Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm insists the squad has set aside off-field distractions to focus fully on what she describes as the “most phenomenal event in women's rugby.”
In the lead-up to the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, the abrupt announcement that head coach Bryan Easson will be leaving after the tournament and players’ discussions with Scottish Rugby about contracts and what will happen from October onwards have dominated the agenda.
Malcolm, the 34-year-old back-row forward who recently joined Trailfinders Women from Loughborough Lightning, acknowledged the challenges last month, describing the preparation period as “very disruptive.”
Since then, there have been summer Test defeats to Italy and Ireland, but on Thursday it was all smiles on St Andrews’ iconic West Sands beach as the 32-strong squad was confirmed for the big dance in England.
Scotland have been drawn in Pool B and will face Wales and Fiji in Manchester on August 23rd and August 30th before ending the group stage against Canada in Exeter on September 6th.
And the team’s goal is clear. To advance to the knockout stages.
"Ultimately, the thing that we love to do is to play rugby,” Malcolm, who has 58 caps and will be appearing in her second World Cup, told TRU.
"The thing that we've always dreamt of doing is playing rugby at the Rugby World Cup with the thistle on our chest, and it's so close now and the excitement is building.
"That excitement has been building this whole year. It's going to be probably the most phenomenal event in women's rugby, potentially in women's sport, that there has been for a very long time.
"And I think it's up to us now to go and make the most of that opportunity. Everything else is pretty irrelevant when you go out there and you get to sing your anthem with your teammates and then perform.
"I'm extremely proud to lead this amazing group of women. I think whether it's the first time you get to play for Scotland, the second time or whatever it might be, the pride never changes.
"And to have your name announced in a World Cup squad is truly the pinnacle for any rugby player. I want the girls to soak in this moment, celebrate it and then we can get down to business when we get down to Manchester in a week or so."
"Sour Taste" Still Lingering from 2022 World Cup
Malcolm’s mention of “business” underscores a lingering disappointment from the last World Cup in New Zealand three years ago, where Scotland failed to secure a win.
The Scots were narrowly defeated 18-15 by Wales and 14-12 by Australia before a heavy 57-0 loss to eventual champions New Zealand.
"There's definitely still a sour taste in my mouth, that's for sure,” the captain reflected.
"The last World Cup was Scotland’s first World Cup in 12 years, and I think we probably underestimated how much relief we felt just to be there and I don't know if we necessarily went into the tournament with the right mindset and tenacity around setting our stall out.
"I think this World Cup is different. We've gone back-to-back for the first time in a very long time in terms of qualifications, and we have talked a lot about what we want to achieve.
"We don't just want to get to England and enjoy the experience. We want to go there, we want to perform and we want to achieve things.
"It's been a massive couple of years in terms of what we've achieved on the pitch [climbing to an all-time high of fifth in the World Rugby rankings] and we’ve learned so many lessons about what we need to do to get the best out of each other individually and as a group. I think we're in a really good place."
Squad Updates: Skeldon Returns, Scott Out
In terms of the squad named for the World Cup, it features 81-cap hooker Lana Skeldon, who continues to recover from an ankle injury sustained against Ireland last weekend. Though her fitness for Scotland's World Cup opener against Wales remains uncertain, having the Bristol Bear around the group is a massive boost for all involved.
Meanwhile, back-three player Lucia Scott, recently signed by Loughborough Lightning from Gloucester-Hartpury, is sidelined with a broken hand which she sustained in Cork and has been replaced by the uncapped Hannah Walker.
World Cup debuts are coming for Becky Boyd, Adelle Ferrie, Lisa Cockburn, Molly Poolman, Beth Blacklock, Leia Brebner-Holden, Rhea Clarke, Francesca McGhie, Hannah Walker, Hannah Ramsay, Evie Gallagher, and Alex Stewart.
Notably, sisters Rhea Clarke (scrum-half) and Elliann Clarke (tighthead prop) will become the first Scottish siblings to compete together at a Women’s Rugby World Cup.
And all Scottish supporters will also welcome Emma Wassell’s inclusion in the squad, marking her remarkable comeback following treatment for a chest tumour.
Scotland Women’s Rugby World Cup squad
Forwards: Leah Bartlett, Becky Boyd, Sarah Bonar, Elliann Clarke, Lisa Cockburn, Eva Donaldson, Evie Gallagher, Adelle Ferrie, Jade Konkel, Rachel Malcolm (C), Elis Martin, Rachel McLachlan, Molly Poolman, Lana Skeldon, Alex Stewart, Emma Wassell, Molly Wright, Anne Young.
Backs: Leia Brebner-Holden, Beth Blacklock, Rhea Clarke, Coreen Grant, Rhona Lloyd, Caity Mattinson, Francesca McGhie, Helen Nelson, Emma Orr, Hannah Ramsay, Chloe Rollie, Lisa Thomson, Hannah Walker, Evie Wills.
