Scotland forward with 'world-class' potential tipped for massive future

Bogan, 21, won her sixth cap in last weekend’s loss to New Zealand in the WXV Global Series and, although the Scots went down heavily, the lock stood out with an energetic performance.

Scotland host Australia at Hive Stadium on Saturday in the first of three Test matches they will play against the Wallaroos, with the second and third taking place in Sydney and Canberra next month.

Bogan’s abrasiveness and ball-carrying abilities are likely to be necessary as the Scots look to end a six-game losing run.

“She definitely has all the tools, she's a phenomenal athlete,” Malcolm said of the Glasgow Warriors second row.

‘A bit of a baller’

“I think when you look at her, she probably brings something a little bit different to her pack than what we have already and I think that's really exciting. She's a bit of a baller with the ball in her hand. She's got really good skills but she's equally very abrasive in how she carries and how she tackles and I think for her it's just about getting game time, which she's now getting at this level, which is going to be phenomenal for her development.

“I think she absolutely has the ability to go and be a world-class second row/back-row and I think the way that she carries herself is a confidence well beyond her years and that's both on and off the pitch. But she's great. She's someone that comes in with a huge amount of energy and kind of what you see is what you get, which is really good fun to be around. She's got a massive future ahead of her.”

The here and now for Scotland is beating Australia after big losses to Canada and New Zealand. It’s something they’ve never done before but Malcolm believes the squad has improved since a disappointing Six Nations campaign.

“I think we've taken steps forward each game and the starting point was definitely ahead of where we were at in the Six Nations as well,” said the captain. “I think from that point of view I feel pretty positive. Obviously we want to get on the right side of the scoreline this week and I think that's the mindset change as we go in.

“We're now looking towards performance and coming out with potentially a win at the weekend as well. So we know what that's going to take against a really strong Australia side on their really physical, really fit team. So we know we need to be at our best but I think the glimpses that we've seen of the opportunities we've had over the last two games have given us a lot of confidence that we can do it.”

Australia lost 48-15 to England in their first WXV outing this season but then pushed France all the way in Aix-en-Provence last weekend before going down 29-26.

Scotland v Australia line-ups

Scotland Women (v Australia, WXV Global Series, Hive Stadium, Saturday, 4.10pm):

Scotland: 15. Hannah Ramsay; 14. Rhona Lloyd, 13. Evie Wills, 12. Meryl Smith, 11. Shona Campbell; 10. Helen Nelson, 9. Ceitidh Ainsworth; 1. Anne Young, 2. Lana Skeldon, 3. Elliann Clarke, 4. Holland Bogan, 5. Sarah Bonar, 6. Rachel Malcolm (capt), 7. Rachel McLachlan, 8. Evie Gallagher. Replacements: 16. Aicha Sutcliffe, 17. Leah Bartlett, 18. Molly Poolman, 19. Hollie Cunningham, 20. Eva Donaldson, 21. Leia Brebner-Holden, 22. Katie Buchanan, 23. Chloe Rollie.

Australia: 15. Caitlyn Halse; 14. Amelia Whitaker, 13. Georgina Friedrichs, 12. Faitala Moleka, 11. Desiree Miller; 10. Waiaria Ellis, 9. Samantha Wood; 1. Brianna Hoy, 2. Brittany Merlo, 3. Faliki Pohiva, 4. Kaitlan Leaney, 5. Michaela Leonard, 6. Pia Tapsell, 7. Piper Duck, 8. Siokapesi Palu Sekona (capt). Replacements: 16. Tania Naden, 17. Martha Fua, 18. Bridie O’Gorman, 19. Jemma Bemrose, 20. Emily Chancellor, 21. Lily Bone, 22. Tia Hinds, 23. Ava Wereta.

Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZR).