Lana Skeldon is glad to be back in the mix and is looking for an improved all-round performance from Scotland versus Canada in the WXV Global Series opener at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh (4.10pm, live on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer).
The experienced hooker, 32, will be earning her 88th cap in the match and, after she missed the last two games in the Women’s Six Nations earlier in the year due to a neck injury she is keen to make up for lost time.
She is also keen to see the team get back to the levels of performance that she knows they can reach after frustration in that one-win, four-loss Six Nations.
“I think off the back of the Six Nations it’s about us putting in a performance that we’re happy with on Saturday,” the Bristol Bears’ front-rower said.
“I think during the Six Nations we didn’t put out performances that we were fully happy with.
“Obviously we’ve got things that we’ll get after in the Canada game such a the way we want to play the game and then see how much we can disrupt their game.
“But I think for us it is about putting in a performance that we’re proud of and we’re happy with.
“And then, hopefully, the result will take care of itself.
“Dave Butcher has come in as interim head coach and I think he’s really striving for excellence in every area of the game which has been really important and exciting through pre-season.
“We are chasing to be able to compete with that top four in the world and I think to be able to do that you’ve got to have excellence across the board.
“That is on the pitch and off the pitch and every individual needs to be striving to be at their best.
“And I think that’s the message that Dave’s given us: as long as you’re giving 100 percent of what you’ve got, then that’s what we’re about.
“During the Six Nations it was difficult, because we were trying to chase results, but also trying to bring other people up to speed and there was a lot of change, a lot of experience missing.
“But I do think at the moment we’ve got a real good mix of experience, not so experienced and total newbies coming in. The coaches are doing a really good job of bringing everyone up to speed so I’m actually really excited to see where we can get in these upcoming games.”
As mentioned, the home Vodafone Scotland WXV Series campaign – part of the wider WXV Global Series presented by Mitsubishi Electric featuring the top sides in the world – begins for Scotland against Canada on Saturday at the Hive before welcoming New Zealand to these shores the following weekend on September 19 and then hosting Australia on September 26.
Scotland’s away WXV Global Series fixtures will take place against Australia on October 17 and October 23.
Lana Skeldon is pictured in training recently – thanks to Scottish Rugby
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