Scotland's women's rugby team is gearing up for a pivotal Six Nations campaign, with captain Rachel Malcolm expressing confidence in their ability to secure a third-place finish. This would mark a significant improvement from their fourth-place finishes in the last two tournaments and their highest standing since 2005.

A Strong Start at Home

The Scots are set to kick off their campaign at the Hive Stadium in Edinburgh, where they will face Wales on Saturday, 22 March. Malcolm believes that winning all three home games against Wales, Ireland, and Italy is a realistic target and a crucial step forward for the team.

"Yes, 100 per cent," Malcolm stated on the BBC's Scotland Rugby Podcast. "We have a lot of fresh faces in the squad, and it's vital that we integrate them into our culture and playing style. But ultimately, we need to keep winning games."

Closing the Gap on Powerhouses

While England and France remain the dominant forces in the tournament, Malcolm is optimistic about Scotland's progress. She highlighted their narrow 15-5 defeat to France last year as evidence that the gap is closing.

"We're really excited to test ourselves against one of the best teams in the world," Malcolm said, referring to their upcoming match in La Rochelle.

World Cup on the Horizon

The Six Nations also serves as an important warm-up for the World Cup, which will be held in England later this year. Malcolm emphasized the importance of a strong performance in the Six Nations to build momentum for the global tournament.

"We truly believe that we're in a position to go at least one stage further than we did in the last World Cup," Malcolm said. "We have a bitter taste from that experience, and we're determined to achieve our potential this time around."

Building on Recent Success

Scotland's recent achievements, including their highest-ever world ranking and a record number of wins, have bolstered the team's confidence. Malcolm and her teammates are focused on continuing this upward trajectory.

"We need to get the most out of this Six Nations," Malcolm concluded. "Our heads are fully on this tournament, but we're also preparing for the World Cup. It's all about putting ourselves in the best possible position to perform in August."