Shona Campbell on what it means to play for Scotland

With her last cap coming in 2022, Shona made her 10^th appearance for Scotland when she was named in the XV for the Guinness Women’s Six Nations opener against Wales, before going on to gain caps 11 and 12 from the starting line-up against England and Italy, respectively.

And after having to bide her time to pull on Scottish colours again, Shona has gained a new perspective of what it means to do so. It is an honour that reflects on those around her, as much as the hard work and determination she has shown to get there.

“When you don’t have something, you understand what you are missing and it has very much been a journey over these four years,” the Sale Shark back-three player said.

“Someone gave me a great piece of advice when I came back in and just said to focus on what it means and not how it feels. That’s really helped guide me through this.

“Playing for Scotland is the biggest sense of pride for me as an athlete – wearing that Scotland jersey and just making my family proud.

“The fact I get to represent Scotland, I know, is so special to them. Every time I wear this jersey, it is for them.

“I lost my grandad at the start of the year, and for him, me playing for Scotland was the biggest thing, so the fact I have been given this opportunity to represent my country again, is really special.”

Family really does mean everything to the 24-year-old, who hails from Montrose.

Two of Shona’s biggest supporters, her mum and dad, have been found in every crowd of the campaign so far, whether it was in Cardiff, amongst a record-breaking attendance at Scottish Gas Murrayfield or in Italy.

“It has been amazing to share this experience with them,” she said. “When I was playing 7s, it was hard for them to come because those games took me all over the world.

“But they have made the effort to come to every single game and to always have them at the side of the pitch is just a reminder of why I do it.

“To see their faces after the game, no matter what has happened, they’re always just so proud of me for chasing my dreams.”

Shona also has ambitions to make the most of the opportunities that come her way on the pitch.

That is something we have seen already from her during this tournament as in the first match of the Guinness Six Nations, she scored her first-ever Scotland try and the team’s second of the afternoon in an eventual 24-19 win over Wales.

“It was surreal,” Shona explained. “It felt like it was a bit of the monkey off my back because getting that first try is something you just wanted to get done.

“But, it was amazing, and having my mum and dad there as well was super cool.

“This has very much been the start of a new chapter for me, and I wanted to make sure I grasped every chance that I got.

“I’ve been super fortunate to play in all of the games so far and I’m just loving every single minute of it. I’m taking every opportunity I can to learn from others and to build those connections with the players around me.”

This championship has been one of learning for everyone involved. A new group of squad and staff have been dealt some tough lessons so far, but there is no denying the commitment in camp to improve and develop over the remaining two matches against France and Ireland.

“It’s definitely the start of a new journey and there are lots, individually and as a group, that we need to improve on.

“It’s going to take time, but we have got two games to go, and they are opportunities to right the wrongs.

“If we can end the campaign feeling a bit more like we’re playing to the level we know Scotland can and showing that identity, then that is a huge step forward.

“I’m a big believer in the result takes care of itself – if you get your detail right and perform to the best of your ability then it will take care of itself.

“Going forward, we need to get those details right, perform to the standard we know we can, make sure our intent is there, and, hopefully, the results will come off the back of it.”

Be there to watch Shona and the rest of the Scotland Women team in action next weekend when we are home at the Hive for our penultimate Guinness Women’s Six Nations match against France. Get your tickets here!