Emma Orr is confident Scotland’s recent run of form has only left the squad hungrier for success as they look to retain their throne at this year’s WXV 2 tournament.
Recent wins versus Wales and Fiji have set the bar of expectation high for a nation that has firmly asserted itself on the international stage, climbing from 12th to fifth in the world rankings in the last year alone.
Though Scotland’s convincing winning streak has placed a target on their back, Orr believes the pressure that comes with wearing the defending champions badge is the ideal fuel for a perfect on-pitch storm as they travel to South Africa looking to successfully defend the WXV 2 crown they won last year.
“It’s a massive deal to have the opportunity to be back in South Africa and defend our title,” said the centre. “We know it’s a huge task but we’re willing to give it everything we can.
“The top teams in the world all have pressure so we know that’s a privilege. We’re ready to take it head on.”
Scotland’s first test comes in the form of Italy, a side they have beaten in their last two encounters including most recently during the Six Nations, winning 17-10 away from home, but Orr is not underestimating the task at hand.
“The opener with Italy is a great one,” she said. “They’re a brilliant side, it’s always a close game. We know it’s going to be tough but we’re ready.
“They’re a very free-flowing team and particularly hard to defend so we’ve got to be on our mettle and be switched on for the full 80, but we also need to remember to focus on our team performance.
“At the end of the day we’re there to perform under Scotland so it will be about going out and focusing on us, hopefully the results take care of themselves.”
Though Scotland achieved a clean sweep of results last time out, claiming three wins from three, the 21-year-old knows her nation’s newfound strength comes from the depth and versatility of their 30-player squad.
“There’s been a lot of scorelines where we’ve been on the wrong side of the result, but we’ve found a way to win of late,” she said. "That’s built confidence but the depth we have has been massive too.
“The [younger players] coming in have been incredible. They’re so talented and skilful and at the end of the day we want more players and more depth to keep coming in and pushing us all.
“To have such depth in Scottish rugby is a big deal. I don’t think we’d have had the wins in recent tournaments if it wasn’t for the whole squad. We all push each other because we know if one of us is having a bad day, there’s someone waiting to take our place.
“It’s so important to have that because when it comes down to it, we all want the best for Scotland."
Orr credits assistant coach Matt Banahan for embodying this ‘all one’ mentality, noting that his arrival as attack coach last year has shaped a squad confident in their ability to perform under pressure and crucially, win when it counts.
“Matt is Scotland’s biggest cheerleader,” she said.
“He brings so much knowledge from being a player and he’s so creative in his attacking mindset. It’s really great to work with someone who is constantly challenging you and wanting the best for you.”
Read more:
- Bruce Aitchison pays tribute to Rachel Malcolm ahead of 50th cap
- Five talking points from Scotland team for WXV opener
- Scotland set sights on hitting new heights ahead of WXV title defence
“It's an incredible milestone,” added Orr. “Rach is everything that encapsulates this team and the best leader I've ever worked under.
“I strive to be like her every day - the way she carries and represents herself and will do anything for this team - is so inspiring. We’re all behind her and can’t wait to see her get the cap.”
Read the rules here