Malcolm counts memories not caps as she closes on 50th

WXV2: Italy v Scotland

Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town Date: Saturday, 28 September Time: 15:00 BST

Coverage: Watch live on the BBC Sport website & app and the BBC iPlayer

Captain Rachel Malcolm prefers to "count the moments" rather than caps as she prepares to make her 50th Scotland appearance against Italy on Saturday.

The back-row will start the WVX2 opener in Cape Town, with the Scots beginning their defence of the title they won in South Africa last season.

Malcolm says it is "surreal" to reach a half-century of caps and is relishing being part of a Scotland team on the up.

"I'm really fortunate in all this that I've had some incredible times, some incredible memories, and some tough times, which have made those memories even more special," Malcolm, 33, said.

"To get to run out for my 50th, it's super special for me, but probably more importantly for the people that have supported me through those tough times.

"I feel lucky to have been a part of that kind of tail-end of the non-professional era and able to then really appreciate what we have now.

"We've hit so many cool milestones over the last two years in particular, and this group has so much potential it's yet to fulfil."

Scotland have won 10 of their past 13 matches and have risen to fifth in the world ranking for the first time.

Malcolm believes the team are well placed to retain the WXV2 title.

"Ultimately we're here to win," said the Loughborough Lightning flanker, who made her Test debut against Spain in 2016.

"There's not many times I've sat in a press conference and had the courage to say those words, but I think that's definitely where we're at as a group.

"We've become a group who have learned a recipe to win. We've learned a lot about what we need to improve.

"Over the Six Nations, over their last two games [victories over Wales and Fiji], we've had a really nice trajectory of improvement, but I think there's a lot still in there. I think that's a really exciting place to be."