MEGAN Gaffney has described Scotland’s one-match shootout tomorrow (Friday) for a place in the Rugby World Cup as the most important game of her career.
The 30-strong squad jetted out to Dubai earlier this month in an attempt to help Scotland become the 12th and final country to secure their place at the prestigious tournament.
Scotland will face Colombia for a spot at the global competition, which takes place in New Zealand later this year, the first time the two countries have ever met.
Gaffney, of North Berwick, said: “I think we are just focusing on ourselves and making sure we are prepared to get to the World Cup.
“It is definitely the most important 80 minutes of my career.
“This is the third round of World Cup qualifying I have been through.
“To be this close is really exciting but we will treat it as any other game and focus on our performances and the processes and the result will come.”
Even getting to the Final Qualification Tournament has proven challenging for former North Berwick High School pupils Gaffney and Liz Musgrove.
READ MORE: Rugby World Cup dream still alive for star Megan Gaffney
Scotland were seconds away from missing out completely as they trailed 18-13 to Ireland in Parma in September last year.
Chloe Rollie’s last-gasp try brought the scores level and Sarah Law kicked the conversion to turn the game around and keep the Scots in contention.
Gaffney, who works for social inclusion charity School of Hard Knocks, said: “Obviously, we were behind in the last few minutes but there was just this vibe that everything was going to be fine – even when we missed touch with a penalty close to the end.
“I think the coaches on the sidelines were a bit stressed but the players on the pitch were going to make it happen and we did.
“We always seem to do things in the last few minutes.
“We have been on the other side and been the team losing so it is a huge step forward for us.
“Against Spain, we held them out and against Ireland we brought it back to win.
“I’m not a really emotional person but I was screaming.
“It was amazing and I think that the video will be one of the favourites for a long time.”
If selected for the match, Gaffney will pick up her 39th cap.
The former Scottish Schools athlete plays her club rugby with Loughborough Lightning.
Speaking about the possibility of reaching the Rugby World Cup in October, she said: “It would be, I guess, the culmination of a career.
“Obviously, I’m nearer the end of my playing time now and it would be just the perfect finish.
“It is something I have been involved in a couple of times and trying to get there.
“We are really aware we have not been at a Rugby World Cup since 2010 and there were not many of the current squad playing at that time.
“We are doing it for everybody that has played during those 12 years and not reached the Rugby World Cup and showing the younger girls what Scotland can do.”
The match will be shown live on BBC ALBA, with kick-off at 3pm (7pm local time).
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