Gary Heatly in Manchester
Leah Bartlett is trying to not get caught up in the occasion of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, but instead is enjoying being in the Scotland squad “bubble” and believes that can keep them focused against Fiji this coming weekend.
Loosehead prop Bartlett, who earned her 46th cap in the 38-8 opening bonus point Pool B win over Wales at the Salford Community Stadium on Saturday, enjoyed the pre-match, during match and post-match atmosphere as much as anyone.
But she feels that staying relaxed and focused on the job in hand rather than thinking about the World Cup as a whole could be key if Scotland are to have ongoing success in the showpiece event in England.
“Walking off the bus into the ground before the game was incredible actually,” Bartlett, who recently signed for Sale Sharks and is turning 27 today (Thursday), said.
“I’m pretty much an earphones in, walk through type of player as I’m focused on the game that is to come, but even I took them out just to revel in it a little bit. It was really cool. It really did feel like a home away from home.
“In general as a squad it just feels quite nice, we’re in a little bubble.
“During the last World Cup in New Zealand we shared the hotel with Japan and Italy for the majority of it. I think being in the same hotel as another team, it makes you feel what the occasion and how big it is and that can leave some a bit overawed.
“Whereas now, with the tournament split around England, we’re in our own little bubble here and I think that’s a really nice feeling. It kind of doesn’t feel like a World Cup, it feels like a very prolonged camp that we play games as part of it.
“That’s not to take away from how big the event is, we all know that, it just means we are feeling comfortable and relaxed and that is when we play our best rugby.”
Scotland certainly played some of their best rugby against Wales and starter Bartlett played well as they brought physicality to proceedings.
Next up is Fiji this Saturday in Manchester again and Bartlett said: “We played well at the weekend, but it’s a long tournament and it is definitely one we can grow into.
“We’ve set a decent baseline now and we know there is more to come from us which is exciting.
“We do a lot of analysis as individuals and as a team and we’ve got a very skilled team of analysts as well. They bring a lot to the table for us and they make our job easy because they show us exactly what we need to know.
“We haven’t played Fiji as much as some other teams, but we will be well prepared for them and we are looking forward to the challenge.”
The result against the Welsh now makes Scotland favourites to progress to the quarter-finals from Pool B 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, there is a meeting with world number two Canada in Exeter on September 6.
The Scotland matchday 23 for Fiji is due to be named 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.
Leah Bartlett is pictured celebrating versus Wales – 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.