25-04-2025
Scotland must find their inner 'dog' in vital finale
Emma Wassell says Scotland have "wrongs to right" in their "vital" final game of the Women's Six Nations against Ireland on suffered a damaging loss at home to Italy in round three, Bryan Easson's side have only one win from four having targeted three victories this now host an improving Ireland who had a seismic win over New Zealand last year. The Irish have won two from four in a tournament that is especially important given the World Cup takes place in England in Wassell, whose return to rugby is progressing following operations to remove a tumour in her chest last autumn, has called on her team-mates to find their inner-dog against the Irish."You can't really coach bringing out the dog," the 30-year-old told the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast. "Sometimes you need something that can bring that out and individual players just need to find what it is."This game is vital. Ultimately, you could see us bottom of the table [if results go against them] and that's the honest truth of it."The disappointing and unexpected loss to Italy in Edinburgh was the day Scotland's campaign went off track, Wassell added: "I don't think it was really us out there. It felt quite flat. Why that is, I don't think we're 100% sure. Verbally, no one was complacent, but mentally, have we almost assumed that we would win that game? It's hard to really pinpoint it."Everyone knew it wasn't good enough. I think we have a few wrongs to right. Sometimes before a game it's very easy to go into your shell and I think we need players to express themselves out there."I know the capabilities of this squad. So, yes, fans may be frustrated, but it's really hard and the players feel it more than ever."
