It is a dream for people to represent their country, but to get to do that alongside one of your best friends is extra special.
During the Women’s Six Nations earlier this year, Holland Bogan and Aicha Sutcliffe managed to do just that for Scotland.
Second-row/back-row Bogan, 21, became Scotland women’s cap number 250 when she came off the bench versus Wales in the round one match in Cardiff.
She went on to play in all five games in the competition while hooker Sutcliffe, also 21, made her debut off the bench in round four against France in Edinburgh and now has two caps and two tries and is cap number 253.
They were never on the pitch against France together, but they were against Ireland in Dublin in round five.
So, what does it feel like representing your country alongside your bestie?
Bogan, who has come through the ranks with Cartha Queens Park and Stirling County and is now with Glasgow Warriors and has previously played Scotland age-grade rugby, said: “For years I was saying to myself and anyone that would listen ‘Aicha’s going to play for Scotland one day’.
“I was telling everyone she is good enough to play for Scotland so to see her get her first two caps at the end of the Six Nations was brilliant. I could feel it coming.
“I was just so happy for her and I’m chuffed that we got to come through the system together and then got capped for Scotland together as well.
“All the long drives and things like that that we have shared over the years to get to this point have all been worth it.
“We have each other’s backs and we are always laughing and joking around, but we also know when to be serious. It is so awesome to earn Scotland caps with your friend.”
Sutclliffe, the Glasgow Warriors player who came through the ranks at Huntly, The Gordon Schools, Highland, Strathallan School and Stirling County and played age-grade internationals too, added: “When my debut against France came around Holland definitely helped me, 100 percent.
“She’s my closest friend in the squad and in the lead up to that game told me what the first few caps had been like for her and that gave me more of a sense of what getting on the pitch for Scotland would feel like.
“It has been so cool breaking through into the Scotland squad together as we have grown up over the last few years in rugby together and we give each other support.
“It has been a really special feeling.”
Both Bogan and Sutcliffe are currently in Scotland camp.
The upcoming home Vodafone Scotland WXV Series campaign – part of the wider WXV Global Series presented by Mitsubishi Electric featuring the top sides in the world – begins for Scotland against Canada on Saturday at Hive Stadium before welcoming New Zealand to these shores the following weekend on September 19 and then hosting Australia on September 26.
Scotland’s away WXV Global Series fixtures will take place against Australia on October 17 and October 23.
Holland Bogan and Aicha Sutcliffe are pictured – thanks to Scottish Rugby
It is shaping up to be an exciting 2026/27 season for women’s rugby in Scotland and GH Media will be covering it in detail – if any companies are keen to support this content please send an email to gary@gh-media.co.uk