Belief, bravery and heart shown by Scotland can be built on going into World Cup
Scotland can take heart from their win over Ireland into Rugby World Cup build up
©Scottish Rugby
Heading into the Guinness Women’s Six Nations, Scotland’s objectives were clear: They wanted three home wins.
They got their first against Wales in Round One after claiming a 24-21 victory, although it was not perhaps the fluid showing they were after.
Off the back of a pretty good performance in France in Round Two, where they lost 38-15, hopes were high heading into Round Three at home against Italy.
'Super Sunday' at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh became 'Sore Sunday' though, as the hosts never got going, delivering a flat performance as Italy took advantage to win 25-17.
A 59-7 defeat to England followed in Leicester in Round Four and, with in-form Ireland coming to town in Round Five, there was a danger that Scotland might end up with just one win to their name.
However, a dogged determination and a defensive masterclass allowed them to score a last-gasp converted try via winger Francesca McGhie to come away with a 26-19 bonus point triumph at the Hive.
That gave Scotland two wins and a fifth-place finish, and although there is plenty to work on ahead of the Rugby World Cup later this year, there is nothing better than signing off a campaign with a victory.
The Scotland players and coaching staff are now having a well-earned break before a wider squad will reconvene in June to begin the build-up to the big dance in England in August and September.
Here are five talking points for Scotland which they may carry into the World Cup...
Solid defence to build on
During the Six Nations, Scotland made the most successful tackles of any team with 815. In the Ireland game alone, they made over 220 of them and while you don't want to be defending for as long as they were in the game, if you have a solid defence, then you can build other facets of your game around that. Hats off to defence coach Tyrone Holmes for what he has built in recent years in that area.
Attack needs sharpening
Only Wales, with 35, had less than the 39 attacking ‘22’ entries that Scotland had during the Six Nations.
The Scots have the backs to trouble defences, and they showed just how clinical they can be against Ireland when they scored four tries from effectively four attacks. Sometimes they may just need their carriers in the forwards to give them front-foot ball to earn the right to go wide more.
The belief, bravery and heart shown against Ireland cannot be coached
The core of the current Scotland squad has been together for a number of years, stretching back to well before the last Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
There are a lot of best friends in the group and they are tight-knit, having gone through a lot of highs and lows together. Captain Rachel Malcolm said it was “belief, bravery and heart” that got them over the line against Ireland and those traits will be needed in spades at the World Cup with Scotland facing Wales, Fiji and Canada in the pool stages.
Seven new caps shows increased depth
By the time Scotland head coach Bryan Easson selects his 32-strong squad to go to the Rugby World Cup, supporters will want him to have some positive headaches.
Certainly, by capping seven new players during the Six Nations and having uncapped players like Aila Ronald, Hannah Ramsay and Hannah Walker training with the group, Scotland's depth is beginning to grow. There is more competition for places which can only be a good thing.
Wrap Evie Gallagher up in cotton wool
On the eve of the last Rugby World Cup, Evie Gallagher suffered an injury which meant she could not travel to New Zealand.
It was a blow for her and the country, but rather than wallow, she used her rehab time to become even better and, since the start of 2023, she has been head and shoulders Scotland’s best player from No.8 and is still just 24.
The Bristol Bear is world-class, no doubt, and for those who may not have seen her in Premiership Women's Rugby, they will be in for a treat during the World Cup.
