SCOTLAND international Francesca McGhie has described representing her country as “sort of unbelievable”.

The winger, of Musselburgh, was called into the Scotland squad for the first time ahead of the Women’s Six Nations in March.

Then, she was handed a debut against England in the opening round before going on to play a starring role in the remaining four fixtures.

She said: “I was not expecting it at all but it is such a privilege.

“Even if I had just not got selected for the games, just to be in that set up and environment would be an experience in itself and some kind of wonderful.

“It was amazing. It [hearing the national anthem] is sort of weird the first few times. I played against England and you get caught up in the moment. I forgot I had a game of rugby to play as well!

“You are singing the national anthem and not many people get to do that – it is a real privilege.”

The 20-year-old’s debut at Kingston Park, near Newcastle, saw England record a comfortable victory.

Friends and family made the trip from Musselburgh south of the border to cheer on McGhie, who works at Loretto School.

Scotland would bounce back with victories over Italy and Ireland to finish the campaign in fourth position – the highest they had finished since 2017, when they also achieved two wins.

The 36-10 win over Ireland at the DAM Health Stadium, in Edinburgh, also featured a memorable try for McGhie on just her fifth cap.

Collecting the ball on the left wing, she outpaced two defenders before cutting inside and then touching down under the posts.

She said: “Even still now, if I watch it back, it does not seem real or like it is me. I was not expecting it and to watch it back straight after the game was amazing. It was incredible.”

Scotland’s performance in the competition came 12 months after the national side had lost each of its five games in the 2022 tournament.

McGhie felt there were signs that the sport was heading in the right direction in Scotland.

She told Courier Sport they had “a great campaign” and added: “We had good bits but bits we can improve on.

“Professional contracts have taken us a step forward and it is really exciting to see where the team will go and how much it grows in schools and all different countries.”

Rugby runs in the family with McGhie’s older brother Kyle having previously represented Scotland’s under-20s.

His sister played “lots of different sports” at school and also did contemporary and ballet dancing at the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow.

McGhie felt there were “so many transferable skills” which she had taken from dancing to rugby.

It was just five years ago that the former Loretto School and George Watson’s College pupil started playing rugby for East Lothian and Borders Girls at Preston Lodge.

She then moved on to Watsonian’s and was a stand-out performer for The Thistles – Scotland’s development side – in the inaugural Celtic Challenge competition earlier this year.

Now, having experienced representing her country, she is determined to remain part of Bryan Easson’s squad.

She said: “Having had five caps, I am just excited for the next one.

“If and when that happens, it will be another incredible experience and not something I will take for granted.”