Gary Heatly in Manchester
Sarah Bonar admits it is “class” being back in the second-row alongside Emma Wassell and the duo are keen to play their part to help Scotland defeat Fiji in the Women’s Rugby World Cup on Saturday
The sides clash in the Pool B match at the Salford Community Stadium in Manchester with the Scots looking to build on their 38-8 bonus point triumph over Wales last time out.
Over the years 31-year-old Bonar, who will be earning her 49th cap this weekend, and Wassell have been fixtures in the Scotland side, but that was put on hold for nearly 18 months due to the latter’s health issues and other things.
Now they are back together in the team and Bonar said: “Oh, it’s class to be packing down with Emma again. It’s been a long time coming so last week it’s just good to get out there together, especially when Emma’s one of my best mates.
“It’s cool to pack down with her again after the rollercoaster she’s had in particular and we just try and do our job for the team and will be trying to do the same again against Fiji.
“I thought in general as a pack versus Wales we did a really good job.
“I mean, the backs absolutely flew, they were definitely the superstars of the show, but I think as a forward pack we did well although we were quite disappointed we didn’t come away with a maul try, for example so we’ve got some things to work on.
“Ultimately, we laid down the platform for the backs to go and do their thing so from that aspect we were proud.”
Scotland will be favourites against a Fijian team who lost 65-7 to Canada last week, but Bonar is not taking them lightly.
“We’re aware it’s going to be a tough battle out there,” Bonar, who has just returned from a foot and ankle injury in time for the tournament, stated.
“We’ve put down a marker and now we want to push on and kick on.”
The win versus Wales now makes the Scots favourites to progress to the quarter-finals from Pool B at the World Cup behind likely group winners Canada. That would mean a probable knock-out tie with world number one side England on September 14.
However, there is a lot of rugby to be played before then and, after Fiji this time out (2.45pm, live on BBC Two), there is a meeting with world number two Canada in Exeter on September 6.
Scotland squad to play Fiji: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie; Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Leah Bartlett, Elis Martin, Elliann Clarke, Emma Wassell, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (C), Rachel McLachlan, Evie Gallagher. Subs: Molly Wright, Anne Young, Lisa Cockburn, Adelle Ferrie, Eva Donaldson, Alex Stewart, Caity Mattinson, Beth Blacklock.
The Fiji matchday 23 is here.
Sarah Bonar is pictured at the captain’s run on Friday – 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.