Gary Heatly in Exeter
Lisa Cockburn’s confidence, like the whole Scotland’s squad, has been steadily growing throughout the Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign and she is ready for the Pool B decider.
On Saturday the 33-year-old Gloucester-Hartpury front-rower will earn her 37th cap – and make her 11th start – for her country against Canada at Sandy Park in Exeter (noon, live on BBC Two),
Bonus point wins over Wales and Fiji mean that Scotland have already made it to the last eight of the World Cup.
They are currently second in the pool behind Canada, who have also made it to the knock-out stages, and who tops the section after three games will be decided when the two teams meet.
Second in the world Canada will be favourites in that one, but if sixth in the world Scotland can cause an upset then they would likely avoid tournament favourites England in the last eight and would play Australia or USA.
Scotland’s quarter-final will be in Bristol on either September 13 or 14, but for now Canada are the focus.
“We’re going into this weekend like ‘Why the hell not have a go at them?’,” Cockburn, who replaces the injured Elliann Clarke in the starting XV, said.
“It’s sixth versus second in the world and we know Canada have a really good set up and they have been playing really well. They’re very skilled, very fast and they will throw the kitchen sink at us.
“But we’ve done lots of analysis on them. We’ve got a really good game plan – and in the last few weeks our game plans have worked and they’ve been tailored to each game.
“So, I’m really optimistic and I think ‘why not cause a bit of upheaval in the World Cup?’
“It would be amazing for us as a squad and I think we’re in the best place that we could be going into such a big game.
“Each week we’ve been getting better and we’re learning quickly from any mistakes. We’re just going to throw everything at it on Saturday.”
Over the years Cockburn, who can play on both sides of the front-row, has been used to making an impact off the bench in a Scotland shirt.
This weekend she will be on the pitch from minute one and added: “I actually think it’s easier to start the game in a way.
“Coming off the bench is an art, and you have to try and keep calm during the warm up as you don’t want to get too hyped up and burn all your energy.
“You want to save that energy until half-time and then get ready for your moment to come on and bring the energy. That’s your job, you’re meant to bring energy and impact.
“So, it will be really cool to warm up and get fired up in that warm up and just go for it from the very off really.
“I’m really proud of my journey to get to this point after serious injury and other factors.
“I do get a little bit emotional when I think about my journey, I’m quite an emotional person, but sometimes it’s nice to take a moment and reflect on that injury that took me out for a long time and then trying to break back into the Scotland team and what happened with Worcester Warriors [when they went under] and not having that ‘family’ team there that I loved so much to go back to.
“Then I have had to move clubs a couple of times in the last few seasons and a lot of the decisions I’ve made around my rugby have been to try and put me in this position.
“It was devastating not getting selected for the Six Nations earlier this year, but I’m here now and I’m so excited to be wearing that number three shirt.
“Any opportunity to wear any shirt, whether that’s on the bench or starting, is an absolute honour.”
Scotland have been boosted by the news that over 10,300 tickets have already been sold for the match versus England in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations at Murrayfield next April.
Scotland squad to play Canada: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie; Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Lisa Cockburn, Emma Wassell, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (C), Rachel McLachlan, Evie Gallagher. Subs: Elis Martin, Anne Young, Molly Poolman, Jade Konkel, Eva Donaldson, Alex Stewart, Caity Mattinson, Evie Wills.
The Canada matchday 23 is here.
Lisa Cockburn is pictured at Friday’s captain’s run – thanks to Ruby Adam Photography
From August 7 until September 30, GH Media will be following the Scotland World Cup journey all of the way. We will be at all of the Scotland matches down south and will be bringing you all of the interviews and news from camp as well as taking a wider look at the tournament as a whole and its impact on the women’s game. Thanks to Quirky Chocolate and other supporters for allowing this content to happen and to readers for engaging with it.