Scotland want to make ‘amazing’ Emma Wassell proud, says Helen Nelson

Scotland fly-half Helen Nelson says they want to retain their WXV2 title for Emma Wassell when they face Australia in Cape Town on Saturday.

Wassell, 29, was ruled out of the tournament last month having been diagnosed with a tumour in her chest.

The lock has credited her “rugby family” for getting her through the stresses of surgery just months after her mother died.

Scotland must beat Australia and deny the Wallaroos two bonus points if they are to lift the trophy, and Nelson says Wassell is an inspiration for the whole squad.

“She’s amazing. Everything she’s been through in the last wee while, she’s just incredibly tough, resilient and we were there to just support her as best we could,” Nelson said.

“It’s sad not to have her with us [in South Africa], she’s such a big personality, but knowing she’s back home recovering and preparing for what’s to come next, we’re happy that she’s being looking after.

“Knowing we have the opportunity to make her proud, we’ve talked about it quite a lot, just doing everything we can to represent her.”