Lightning Fran making up for lost time

The Scots lost two games heavily on the spin before the tournament break - an 84-7 defeat to England at Murrayfield followed by a 41-14 loss to Italy in Parma - meaning the 24-19 win in Wales on opening weekend seems like a long time ago now.

They are fifth in the standings, are dealing with a long injury list at the moment, and are going up against title chasers next.

But the game is at home at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh while, away from the absentees, they also have a key players like McGhie now back fully fit after her own lay-off.

• Round 4 Preview - Scotland v France

The speedster was on fire for the Scots during the Rugby World Cup in England last August and September, setting the tone with a blistering hat-trick of tries in the 38-8 opening pool win over Wales.

She then backed that up with two more tries against Fiji as Scotland battled though 29-15 and then scored one in the 40-19 loss to Canada.

McGhie could not add to her tally against England in the 40-8 last eight reverse, but she had well and truly made her mark on the big stage.

New club, same ambitions

After the World Cup she joined English PWR club Trailfinders Women from Leicester Tigers and although four months out with a shoulder injury saw her miss the Wales game, she came on as a replacement against England and then started against Italy and has 16 tries to date in 28 international caps.

“As a Scotland squad we’re just looking to focus on us over these next two weeks, play to our shape and execute well when chances come along,” McGhie said.

“We have Ireland to come in Round 5, but for now all of the focus is on France this weekend.

“The vibe around camp has been good in recent days and we absolutely love playing France at home.

“We love being at the Hive and playing in front of our fans. We know it’ll be a tough game, but we want to give them something to shout about.

“There have definitely been moments where we have been reflecting recently and we know that the performance in Italy last time out just wasn’t good enough from us.

“After every game there are bits that are good and bits that are bad to look at. We’ve analysed those from the Italy game and now we’re just looking to focus on France."

Scottish batteries recharged

“I think it was good to have a few days off during the fallow week to rest and reflect on the first three games in the Championship," says McGhie. “We have the energy now that we need going into these next two weeks.”

McGhie’s former club teammate at Watsonians, Molly Poolman, stole her try-scoring limelight in Round 3 with her wonder score against Italy.

The replacement tighthead prop stunned the crowd in Parma - and the Italian defence - with a piece of skill usually reserved for those in the backs as she went in from over 30 metres out and it was named Try of the Round.

Asked if she was worried that Poolman might now be after her spot on the wing, McGhie smiled and said: “I think after that try she can have it, absolutely!

“Seriously though, it was great. The joy on her face when she scored it and the joy on all of ours was just brilliant.