While it took her a couple of kicks to get into her rhythm from the tee, her orchestration of the attack, organisation, and defensive contribution helped to sustain Scotland’s attacking rhythm.
In her World Cup debut, she showed poise, sharp service from the breakdown, and topped it off with a try from patient build-up – a confident and effective performance
Carried well towards the end when Scotland just needed to keep possession and control. Justified her selection with a strong showing against starting veteran Donna Rose and much-vaunted sub Sisilia Tuipulotu.
The comeback kid from that injury in Scotland’s last pre-tournament hit-out confirmed her importance to the team with a typically busy all-round performance.
Strong foundation up front: securing scrummaging and breakdown presence, enabling Scotland to maintain dominance and tempo.
Strong line-outs, mauls, and defensive pressure were key to Scotland’s forward platform.
Along with Wassell, dominated the physical exchanges in the tight five.
On her 50th cap as captain, she marshalled the defensive structure and led from the front. Stability, leadership and smart decision-making were apparent. Her leadership both verbally and in structure was pivotal in setting the tone.
High work rate around the ruck, supporting both defence and applying turnover pressure; complemented the back-row synergy well.
Made her World Cup debut in style – used her signature power and direct running to breach the Welsh defence. Scored Scotland’s bonus point try.
(Ellis Martin, Molly Wright, Lisa Cockburn, Jade Konkel, Eva Donaldson, Alex Stewart, Caity Mattinson and Beth Blacklock)
Provided fresh legs and some massive carries. Mattinson continued the cool headedness of Brebner-Holden at the start of the game with. Stewart provided some great support runs, usually being the first person to the ruck.