Scotland's most-capped hooker Lana Skeldon is approaching Saturday's Six Nations showdown with England with trademark serenity, drawing on 15 years of international experience to guide her team through one of rugby's fiercest rivalries.
Skeldon, who will earn her 86th cap against the reigning world champions at Murrayfield, has witnessed the full spectrum of Scotland's women's rugby journey—from crushing defeats to the current era of promise. The 32-year-old veteran reflects on the transformation: "In the beginning, the lows and then the lowest of lows and now, well, a different planet to how it used to be."
Scotland enters the match buoyed by a hard-fought victory over Wales in Cardiff, part of what Skeldon describes as unprecedented momentum for the program. "More resources, young blood coming through, a record crowd expected—it won't be far off 30,000 they reckon—and a whole lot of excitement among an extremely close group of players," she observes.
Despite England's formidable reputation and Scotland's injury concerns, Skeldon maintains her characteristic composure. On the BBC Radio Scotland Rugby podcast, she revealed her matchday approach: "If you were to ask anyone in the squad, I'm probably the calmest person around on game day. I'm pretty chilled. I'm quite good at finding that middle ground. Not too laid back that I look like I don't care but not too excited that I'm over the top."
The hooker acknowledges the emotional weight of the occasion will surface during the anthems: "I'll be really chilled until the anthems. At that point, that'll be when it hits me. I just want to do people proud."
Skeldon's perspective is shaped by surviving some of Scotland's most difficult periods against England, including defeats of 80-0, 64-0, 53-0, and 32-0. Yet she finds encouragement even in last year's 40-8 World Cup loss to England: "A landslide, for sure, but one that contained some really encouraging things for Scotland. Lost in the bottom line, yes, but not to the people who were part of it."
With a new coaching staff and growing public support, Skeldon recognizes the significance of this moment for Scottish women's rugby. As she accumulates caps in what may be her final seasons, each opportunity carries increased meaning: "As I'm getting more caps, it's even more precious than it already was."