With the sun setting on a brilliant Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, it’s time to hand out GH Media’s very unofficial awards covering Scotland’s campaign.
There was excitement against Wales, grit against Fiji, battling qualities against Canada and points at the start and the end against eventual champions England as Scotland made it to the quarter-finals.
A large support followed them to Manchester, Exeter and Bristol and there were highs and lows along the way, but it was a great adventure…
Scotland’s forward of the Women’s Rugby World Cup: Evie Gallagher
Having missed the last World Cup at the last minute due to injury, this was always going to be the time for Evie Gallagher to shine and she did just that. Her defensive game was ‘on point’ as ever, but it was her carrying and footwork in attack that also really impressed from the Bristol Bears back-rower. Scored tries versus Wales and Canada and was named player of the match versus Fiji. The yellow card versus Canada was a tight one, but she didn’t let it affect her when she returned to the fray. She turned 25 during the event and has 41 caps.
Notable mentions for Emma Wassell, Rachel Malcolm and Rachel McLachlan.
Scotland’s back of the Women’s Rugby World Cup: Francesca McGhie
Having been too young to have been at the last World Cup and having been nursing an injury in the lead up to this one, some were not sure what sort of Francesca McGhie they were going to see at the tournament down south. Well, they needn’t have worried because within a minute she had scored a try in the opener versus Wales and she just built from there. Two more tries came later in the game to give her a hat-trick and the player of the match award before two tries against Fiji and one against Canada to give ger six for the tournament. The 22-year-old new Trailfinders Women’s player’s stock is on the rise with 16 tries in 26 Tests.
Notable mentions for Helen Nelson, Lisa Thomson and Rhona Lloyd.
Scotland’s young player(s) of the Women’s Rugby World Cup: Leia Brebner-Holden and Molly Poolman
Francesca McGhie could have won this award too, but, given she has had accolades thrown at her from every angle of late, it goes to two others. Leia Brebner-Holden, 23, had to bide her time to make the starting number nine jersey her own, but now she has it she is showing no signs of letting it go and it has been some first 12 months for her in international rugby. The Loughborough Lightning playmaker now has 15 caps while Molly Poolman has just seven since a debut versus France away during the Guinness Women’s Six Nations. The 21-year-old tighthead has a long way to go, but she has handled a whirlwind start to life at this level admirably.
A Notable mention for Emma Orr.
Scotland’s unsung hero(es) of the Women’s Rugby World Cup: Sarah Bonar and Alex Stewart
Over the years Sarah Bonar has had her fair share of injuries to contend with and, in the lead up to this event, the Harlequins second-row had another battle on her hands to be fit. She rehabbed hard to be ready in time and over the four games she worked tirelessly for the team and she earned her 50th cap for her country against Canada. Before the event 21-year-old back-rower Alex Stewart was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and coeliac disease and it was a lot to take in for her, but she brought energy whenever she came off the bench for Scotland in England.
Notable mentions for skipper Rachel Malcolm for guiding her players through the much-publicised “very disruptive” build up and the off the field matters going on during the event and retiring players Jade Konkel, Lisa Cockburn and Caity Mattinson.
Scotland’s moment(s) to make everyone smile during the Women’s Rugby World Cup: The supporters and Rachel Malcolm’s unequivocal reply to question about whether she considered retiring post-event
It was just brilliant to see so many Scottish supporters of all ages at the games at the Salford Community Stadium (2), Sandy Park and Ashton Gate. They backed the squad and in turn the squad gave it everything and that relationship between the crowd and the players is growing all of the time. And, at the end of Scotland’s tournament, this journalist asked 34-year-old talismanic skipper Rachel Malcolm if she had considered international retirement and she replied straight away: “No, I’ll shut that one down straight away.”
And a notable mention for the moment when Scotland’s record cap holder Donna Kennedy gave Jade Konkel a hug from the stands after the latter came off versus England in her 74th and last international – en emotional moment that brought a smile thinking just how much those two have done for Scotland women’s rugby over the years.
- Talking of award winners, Canada second-row Sophie de Goede has been named World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year and the Scotland stand-off Helen Nelson is in the Women’s Rugby World Cup Fantasy Game Team of the Tournament.
Francesca McGhie and Evie Gallagher are pictured
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.
