Molly wants a progress report against Japan
Scotland hooker Molly Wright wants her team to give further proof of recent progress when they take on Japan this afternoon in Edinburgh.
The Scots won their last two games against Spain and Ireland to go through to the final qualifying tournament for next year’s Rugby World Cup, and today’s friendly will be their last outing before that competition.
The win against Ireland, in particular, was a really gutsy performance.
Trailing by five points going into the last few minutes, Scotland held their nerve to win thanks to Sarah Law’s conversion of a Chloe Rollie try.
Wright, who starts on the bench against the Japanese, thinks that finale shows how much the team have progressed.
“It was 18 phases for us to score that last try and we knew there was pressure,” she said.
“But I think for us to be able to close games out like that shows the new character of this team and how it has changed.
“The team has matured and we have a lot of experience. We work hard as individuals and as a group to get better, and it feels like we are a group that is evolving.
“We are progressing and we want to build on that against Japan and then in the repechage.
“Japan have just qualified for the World Cup, so it is a chance for us to show the world that we deserve to be there too and that if we qualify we will be a competitive side.”
Scotland head coach Bryan Easson has selected his strongest starting line-up for the game, bringing Sarah Bonar back at lock in place of Louise McMillan in the only change from the team that began against Ireland.
Meanwhile, in the men’s Premiership, Edinburgh Accies are up to third after winning 42-19 at Aberdeen Grammar.
The bonus-point win means that Accies are now just three points behind leaders Currie Chieftains, who have a game in hand.
Aberdeen have now lost all nine of their league games so far this season.
The only other fixture in the top flight this weekend was on Friday night, when Selkirk won 21-9 at Jed-Forest.