Women's Six Nations: Nuala Deans can't wait to make Scotland debut against France

Multi-talented Scotswoman Nuala Deans insists her winning mentality has been the driving force behind her first competitive start as a rugby union international.

The Wasps outside centre will make her Scotland debut in their Six Nations opener against France on Saturday, after previously representing her nation at football and cricket as a youngster.

And the 26-year-old’s message to aspiring young female athletes is to train hard and think about the rewards of representing your country at international level.

“Playing different sports at age grade levels were great achievements for me but I’m really looking forward to playing my first sport at women’s senior level this weekend,” Deans told Sky Sports. “It’s a huge achievement for me.

“I probably benefit from playing for a small country with a smaller player pool but it depends on where your ambition lies. Some people play sport for fun or for the social aspect and for different reasons.

“But it’s always been my ambition to be good at something and play at that elite level and I’m just going to keep going.

“There is no better feeling than pulling the shirt on for your country and if you keep that in the back off your head then every little bit of work you do, every morning that you get up, everything you sacrifice for training is worth it.

“Whether that’s playing for a country that’s massive or small, or whether you’re a high achiever in that sport or not  it doesn’t really matter. As soon as you put that shirt on then everything is worthwhile.”

The former Hibernian Ladies footballer has only been playing rugby since the age of 23 and she credits Wasps for aiding her development after joining the club from Edinburgh rugby side Broughton.

“I went for Scotland trials after my first full year of playing rugby and my focus now is on improving as much as I can,” she said. “Playing with the talented players at Wasps over the last four or five months has improved me massively.

“I just want to be as good as I possibly can and hopefully that’s good enough to represent Scotland over the next few years. I hope that will include playing at a World Cup if we’re lucky enough to be involved.”