Scotland vice-captain Helen Nelson’s late auntie Clare Hoppe will be on her mind during the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Hoppe passed away in 2022 after an illness having played for Ireland against Scotland in the first official Test match between the teams at Raeburn Place in Edinburgh in February 1993. She was a big sporting inspiration to Nelson growing up.
When she passed, Nelson posted on social media: “The bravest, kindest and most fun loving person I’ve ever known. You’ll always be my hero Clare, love you.”
Every time the Scotland squad travel to a match one of the players is given the honour of carrying the match ball from that famous Scotland-Ireland clash 32 years ago off the team bus and into the changing rooms. For example, Beth Blacklock carried it ahead of the last game versus Ireland.
It was poignant to see Nelson with that match ball before a Scotland-Wales game back in 2023 and she admits that Hoppe is one of her drivers every time that she takes to the field.
“Every time Rachel [Malcolm, the Scotland captain] hands out that match ball from 1993 before every game to someone to carry it into the stadium off the bus it makes me emotional,” Nelson said.
“Whoever has it, I’m always pointing at Clare’s name on it saying that was my auntie. It’s an amazing piece of history and it makes me proud.
“When I am at the World Cup I will be thinking of her and I’m sure there will be some emotions along the way.”
Hoppe clearly impacted the Nelson siblings – Helen, Bryony and Robbie – as they have built a strong rugby legacy of their own with the sisters both having played for Scotland and Robbie having turned out for the Scotland Club XV before heading to Australia.
Meanwhile, there have been a lot of distractions around the build up to the World Cup, but Nelson is very clear that it is business from here.
The tournament in England runs from August 22 to September 27 and the Scotland Pool B matches are against Wales in Manchester on August 23, Fiji in Manchester on August 30 and Canada in Exeter on September 6.
The top two from each pool will make it through to the last eight in the 16-team event with a quarter-final spot definitely achievable for the Scots.
In the lead up to last Thursday’s 32-strong squad announcement in St Andrews, off field issues were top of the agenda with the news that head coach Bryan Easson’s will be leaving after the tournament and players’ discussions with Scottish Rugby about contracts and what will happen from October onwards dominating things.
However, 71-times capped Loughborough Lightning stand-off Nelson, who first played the game at Jubilee Park in Ballachulish with the Glencoe Golden Eagles, says the squad are fully focused now on trying to make it out of Pool B at the big dance and into the last eight.
“To get to the World Cup was ‘the thing’ last time [in 2022 in New Zealand when they lost all three group matches], whereas now it’s about being there and showing what we can do,” she said.
“I think last time if you add it all together – the first World Cup in 12 years, a World Cup in New Zealand, a first World Cup for everyone there – there was very much an excitement about getting there.
“Now we are very clear that it’s business from here.
“We’re not just happy to be going there and taking part, we want to compete and we want to reach the latter stages and we’re not going to be shy about that.”
Nelson, 31, has been a key part of the Scotland squad since 2016 and is one of the most experienced, calm heads in the group.
Her motivation to keep improving has never diminished and she added: “I think I’ve worked a lot on goal kicking, probably my kicking in general, and just honing the craft of game management.
“I’ve been working on some basic skills as well. It’s nice, we’ve got some younger players who have come into the backline who are rapid and exciting and we want to get the ball to them.
“I think I just want to reach my potential. I just want to keep achieving. I still feel like I’ve not reached my best yet.
“I want to keep improving and keep chasing those wins as a team and just getting better and better. I think we’ve got the ability to be one of the best backlines around and I want to try and get the potential out of this group.”
The Scotland squad met up in Edinburgh on Thursday and will be travelling to Manchester on Friday.
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Scotland Women’s Rugby World Cup squad
Forwards: Leah Bartlett, Becky Boyd, Sarah Bonar, Elliann Clarke, Lisa Cockburn, Eva Donaldson, Evie Gallagher, Adelle Ferrie, Jade Konkel, Rachel Malcolm (C), Elis Martin, Rachel McLachlan, Molly Poolman, Lana Skeldon, Alex Stewart, Emma Wassell, Molly Wright, Anne Young.
Backs: Leia Brebner-Holden, Beth Blacklock, Rhea Clarke, Coreen Grant, Rhona Lloyd, Caity Mattinson, Francesca McGhie, Helen Nelson, Emma Orr, Hannah Ramsay, Chloe Rollie, Lisa Thomson, Hannah Walker, Evie Wills.
Helen Nelson is pictured with her late auntie Clare Hoppe
From August 7 until September 30, GH Media will be following the Scotland World Cup journey all of the way. We will be at all of the Scotland matches down south and will be bringing you all of the interviews and news from camp as well as taking a wider look at the tournament as a whole and its impact on the women’s game. Thanks to Quirky Chocolate and other supporters for allowing this content to happen and to readers for engaging with it.