Lisa Thomson spent the summer on the biggest sporting stage of all and the challenge of helping Scotland retain their WXV 2 title is proving just as exhilarating.

The 27-year-old, who represented Team GB’s rugby sevens squad at Paris 2024, is enjoying re-adjusting to the 15-a-side game and her kicking game proved crucial from inside centre as Scotland beat Japan 19-13 on Saturday.

That made it two wins from two and set up a crunch clash with fellow unbeaten side Australia this weekend as Bryan Easson’s side look to back up their 2023 triumph in the competition.

“It has been really good, I absolutely love being back with Scotland,” said Thomson.

“I’m excited for a season of 15s, I have been bouncing between the two formats for the past couple of years.

“I’m really excited to get back into 15s when we get home and the big challenge against Australia.

“There are definitely sevens habits to get rid of – there’s a lot less space on a 15s pitch! But I’m enjoying getting back into the swing of it.”

Upon her return from international duty, Thomson will form part of a sizable Caledonian contingent at Trailfinders Women alongside Sarah Denholm, Chloe Rollie and Caity Mattinson in England’s Premiership Women’s Rugby competition.

Before that, however, is the challenge of taking on the Wallaroos, who overcame hosts South Africa 33-26 in a thrilling encounter at the weekend.

Scotland were functional rather than free-flowing against the Sakura 15 but Thomson’s midfield link-up with Meryl Smith, who picked up the player of the match award, was among the key positives.

“Mez is a class player, she has come on so much in the past few years,” she said.

“She has got such a rugby head about her, she manages the game well. She has played all the way across the midfield and played at 15 in the Six Nations, so she can play anywhere and she has an unreal rugby head. 

"It has been good to play with her and it was good to get the win, Japan are a class outfit. 

"It wasn’t ‘us’ as a whole performance but there are some things to work on going into Australia.

“It’s good for us to be closing out a game. A couple of years ago, we probably wouldn’t have been able to close it out.

“To be able to get back into that mindset of closing it out, keeping possession – although we ideally don’t want to be in those positions, we want to be better from the start – makes for an exciting challenge this weekend.”