Scotland out to prove point against Wales - Wassell
Scotland have embraced the underdog role to significantly advance women's rugby in their country over recent years. Now, they seek recognition as a formidable team.
Emma Wassell has been central to this journey and a key figure in the team since her international debut in 2014.
Her initial Test matches were played before crowds numbering in the low hundreds.
Later this month, she will take the field at Murrayfield in front of 25,000 fans – a number that may increase – when Scotland face world champions England. This will set a record for a standalone women's sporting event attendance in Scotland.
Wassell and her teammates have long fought for respect on various fronts, whether from opponents or their employers.
They have sought equitable treatment from Scottish Rugby regarding contracts, resources, and the comprehensive support necessary for competitive success.
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As Scotland prepare to face Wales in Saturday's Women's Six Nations opener at Cardiff's Principality Stadium, Wassell’s thoughts may return to the reverse fixture in 2017.
The Scots narrowly won 15-14 at Broadwood Stadium. It was their first Six Nations victory in seven years. Since then, they have made considerable progress.
A one or two-win Six Nations campaign is no longer regarded as a major achievement, and following an encouraging World Cup last year where they reached the quarter-finals, the team no longer wishes to be seen as plucky underdogs with nothing to lose.
"When you're labelled an underdog, you probably take a little bit of the pressure off you," Wassell told BBC Scotland. "But I believe we have that pressure to perform and succeed now.
"It might seem cliched, but it really is a privilege to have that level of pressure. It's about going out and doing it. I'm so proud to see the growing fan base and the crowds that we're getting, but what I truly care about is winning for Scotland."
'Treatment of Scotland players wasn't good enough'
Nine uncapped players are included in Scotland women's training squad.
'We feel like we've been listened to'
At the start of a new World Cup cycle and with a new coaching staff, there is a sense of a fresh start for Scotland.
Bryan Easson left after five years following the quarter-final exit to England, with former United States head coach Sione Fukofuka appointed as his successor.
Captain Rachel Malcolm says Scotland aims to compete among the top four or five teams globally but cautions that with a new coach and many new players, some short-term setbacks may occur before progress.
The build-up to this Six Nations has been less stressful than before the World Cup, when the squad was frustrated by perceived disrespect over contracts that left several players facing unemployment after the tournament.
Malcolm was actively involved as captain and spokesperson during negotiations with Scottish Rugby and in communicating the players' stance to the media.
Although some wounds remain, especially for those without contracts, the atmosphere is much improved compared to a few months ago.
"There is no-one in a position right now as stressful as those girls were put in, which is exactly what I want as a captain. I really want our focus and our energy to be going into the rugby," Malcolm told the BBC's Scotland Rugby Podcast.
"I can honestly say that we are not there anymore. The discussions have been positive. We feel like we've been listened to. One of the biggest things that we asked for was just to be involved in the conversation and to not be kind of blindsided.
"The process has been a lot more gradual. There's been different stages to it and a little bit more upfront in terms of what contributed to decisions and how that process happened. That makes a big difference and goes a long way."
Leading up to Scotland's previous encounter with Wales – the World Cup pool opener in August – much discussion centered on how closely matched the teams were, with recent games decided by a point or less.
Some described it as the closest rivalry in Test rugby. Scotland's emphatic 38-8 victory was unexpected.
It was arguably one of their finest performances, but while Scotland celebrated, Wales likely carried significant disappointment and motivation for revenge.
They will seek to avenge that loss in front of their home crowd at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.
"You can never underestimate Wales," said fly-half Helen Nelson. "It's always spicy between us. So we're not going in kind of expecting it to be an easy game or anything like that. It will be an absolute battle."
