Gary Heatly in Manchester
Games against Wales hold a special place in the memory bank for Scotland centre Emma Orr as she made her debut against them in 2022.
In April of that year the then 18-year-old made her full Scotland bow at Cardiff Arms Park against the Welsh in the Six Nations.
And now, three and a half years on, she is preparing for another massive match against them in the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England on Saturday and hopes to make more memories.
The 22-year-old Biggar product who now plays for Bristol Bears said: “So much has happened since that game in 2022, but it is one that I’ll always remember fondly despite us getting beaten.
“That day showed me what international rugby was all about and the standards I had to set myself and reach if I wanted to keep being involved going forward.”
And stay involved Orr very much has and she is now one of the first names on the Scotland teamsheet in the 13 shirt, has 30 caps to her name and has the Commonwealth Games sevens in 2022 and the World Cup in New Zealand also that year under her belt too.
She is very organised on and off the pitch and explained: “I write down things all the time. I have my notebook with me just about everywhere. I like to write things down and see it written down.
“Analysing opposition is something that we all are pretty hot on. Looking at people in our position and where we can potentially target.”
Losses to Wales, Australia and hosts New Zealand in the group phase three years ago at the World Cup still rankle with Orr and co.
She added: “Nobody wants to feel like that again, so we do use that as motivation to dig deep.
“We really want to go out there and perform. There’s so much talent in the group and so much potential.
“I think we’re just going to try and put in 80-minute performances when it really counts.”
After the Wales Pool B game at the Salford Community Stadium in Manchester at the weekend, Scotland will play Fiji in Manchester on August 30 and Canada in Exeter on September 6.
The Scotland matchday 23 to play Wales will be announced on Thursday.
Scotland Women’s Rugby World Cup squad
Forwards: Leah Bartlett, Becky Boyd, Sarah Bonar, Elliann Clarke, Lisa Cockburn, Eva Donaldson, Evie Gallagher, Adelle Ferrie, Jade Konkel, Rachel Malcolm (C), Elis Martin, Rachel McLachlan, Molly Poolman, Lana Skeldon, Alex Stewart, Emma Wassell, Molly Wright, Anne Young.
Backs: Leia Brebner-Holden, Beth Blacklock, Rhea Clarke, Coreen Grant, Rhona Lloyd, Caity Mattinson, Francesca McGhie, Helen Nelson, Emma Orr, Hannah Ramsay, Chloe Rollie, Lisa Thomson, Hannah Walker, Evie Wills.
Emma Orr is pictured on her Scotland debut versus Wales in 2022
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.
