Meryl Smith has paid tribute to Helen Nelson as the Scotland captain prepares to win her 80th cap for her country on the final day of the Women’s Six Nations on Sunday.
In round five, the fifth in the standings Scots are in Dublin to take on third placed Ireland at the Aviva Stadium with a crowd of over 32,000 set to be in attendance (2.30pm live on BBC iPlayer).
And, with Rachel Malcolm out injured, stand-off Nelson, 31, will lead the side as she did against France in round four.
By playing in the game, the Lochaber product will become just the sixth female player ever to reach 80 caps or more for Scotland after Donna Kennedy on 115 caps, Heather Lockhart on 89 caps, Lana Skeldon on 87 caps, Karen Findlay on 86 caps and current player Chloe Rollie on 85 caps.
Smith, the 24-year-old Bristol Bears centre who has bounced back from a serious knee injury to play in all of the games in this tournament, will be winning her 27th cap in the game.
Playing at 12 she works closely with Loughborough Lightning’s Nelson and Smith, who signed a new contract with her English club this week, said: “Helen makes my life easy.
“She’s such a great leader and her composure on the ball is such a benefit to the team. The way she controls the game is great and being able to play outside her and give her another kicking option can relieve the pressure on her so that she’s not having to do it all herself.
“I’d like to think that we play well together, I don’t think I stress her out too much!
“Seriously though, having two playmaker on the pitch at the same time opens up the game and allows us to get our outside backs on the ball.
“And Nelly [Nelson] is very calm and collected, she’s got composure and she’s got experience and I’m definitely learning off of her and enjoy playing alongside her.”
The teams will be playing for the Siobhan Cattigan Trophy for the first time in this game.
- Elsewhere on the final day of the tournament, sixth placed Wales host fourth placed Italy in Cardiff at 12.15pm and then, at 4.45pm UK time, France and England play in the title and Grand Slam decider in Bordeaux.
Meryl Smith and Helen Nelson are pictured – thanks to Scottish Rugby
The Women’s Six Nations is here and the 2026 event runs from April 11 to May 17 and, between April 6 and May 20, GH Media will be covering Scotland’s campaign and the wider tournament – keep an eye out for content and thanks to everyone who supports GH Media’s work within women’s rugby