Lynne Reid will captain Scotland Women's team for the first time when they take on Sweden at Meggetland in Edinburgh on Saturday as part of their build up to this year's Six Nations Championship.
The flanker, who came off the bench when Scotland beat Sweden 32-0 in their last meeting in 2004, is one of a number of experienced players in the squad along with likes of centre Lucy Millard and prop Heather Lockhart.
"I've captained my club side and am the kind of captain who likes to lead by example, but we have a core of experienced players in the squad that take a lot of responsibility on the pitch," Reid said.
"Our last game was in May so we're all raring to go but our training has been pitched at the right level and the right tempo to take us up to the game.
"I know a bit about the Swedish style of play. They're very athletic and have had good results against Wales and Italy, but we're a lot more physical and aggressive than the 2004 side and I think we have more depth, particularly in the backs.
Improvement across the board
"We've benefitted hugely from the strength and conditioning support from Scottish Rugby and I think we're in a stronger position going into the Six Nations."
That support has come in the form of new forwards coach Millan Browne, a former Scotland A prop, and head coach Jamie Dempsey has noticed an improvement throughout the squad.
"We've been working hard for five or six months now given that we were preparing for the Kazakhstan game in November, so really it's been about maintaining the focus of the squad on our goals of improving our playing style and physical conditioning" explained Dempsey.
"A positive from the cancellation is that we have had more time do that. The condition of the players has improved across the board, particularly in our front five so hopefully we'll see results of that on the park."
Dempsey, though, will not be taking the threat posed by Sweden lightly and was quick to talk down any of a runaway victory in Edinburgh on Saturday.
Winning is key
"That was a long time ago [the 32-0 win] and both sides are now made up of entirely different players. We've watched footage of the Swedes and I'm expecting a much closer game this time round," added Dempsey.
"Obviously the most important thing for us is to get the win. We've won our last two games against the Netherlands (26-0) and Spain (27-5) [at the European Championship in May], so we want to continue that run by focusing on how we perform and beating whoever is in front of us.
"We've shown in the past that our physicality is one of our strengths but it's important that we play a more well-rounded game so we can develop the ability to tailor our performances depending on our opponents in order to exploit their weaknesses."
After facing Sweden, Scotland will kick off their Women's Six Nations against Wales at Meggetland on 8 February. They then tackle France away, Italy and Ireland at home before rounding off against defending champions England on 21 March.
Scotland team to face Sweden:
1. Heather Lockhart 2. Sarah-Lou Walker 3. Beth Dickens 4. Louise Moffat 5. Lynsey Wheeler 6. Lynne Reid (Captain) 7. Ruth Slaven 8. Keri Holdsworth 9. Sarah Gill 10. Erin Kerr 11. Ronnie Fitzpatrick 12. Suzi Newton 13. Lucy Millard 14. Cara D'Silva 15. Lynsey Douglas.
Replacements: 16. Alison MacDonald 17. Ellen Beattie 18. Joy Lyth 19. Natalya Marcholla 20. Susie Brown 21. Laura Steven 22. Vik Blakebrough.
