This time last year Rianna Darroch was still learning the scrum-half position and was representing Glasgow Warriors for the first time.
It was a steep learning curve for her, but one she took in her stride and, 12 months later, she is reaping the benefits of all the hard work she put in during that time and has continued to put in since then.
Now she is starting regularly in the number nine jersey for the Scotstoun outfit and her good start to the 2025/26 Celtic Challenge campaign saw her named as one of 22 uncapped players who were part of the 50-strong Scotland squad that has been in camp this week in Edinburgh with new head coach Sione Fukofuka.
“I do feel a different player now than I did a year ago and certainly more confident,” Darroch, the 20-year-old Hillhead Jordanhill player, said.
“Last year getting the call up to the Glasgow squad was quite a surprise and I was quite new to being a nine then having mainly played 12 and elsewhere coming through. However, I loved the Glasgow experience last year and learning from the likes of Scotland cap Mairi McDonald about playing nine and when I got my chances from the bench I just tried to help the team.
“I took a lot away from that Celtic Challenge experience and, in the first few months of this season, I just kept trying to build on my game back with Hills in the Arnold Clark Premiership and also as part of the central training programme [run by Scottish Rugby just below the level of the 35 contracted players].
“To then come back into the Glasgow environment for a second year and be getting starts and more minutes has been great and I feel like as an individual and as a team we have had a pretty good start to this campaign with lots still to build on.
“And to get a call up to the Scotland training camp was exciting, when I heard I was really looking forward to it.
“I think having 15 Glasgow girls in the camp helped me settle the nerves a little bit and it is always great to connect with other girls and coaches and put my best foot forward.”
What are the main things Darroch, the age-grade cap, has been working on of late in terms of her scrum-half play then?
“I think it’s so important just really keep working on and nailing down the fundamental skills of being a nine,” she explained.
“As a result, I am always working on my passing, working on making sure my comms are really good with my team mates and making sure my connection with the 10 that I am playing with at the time is really good.
“Every game is different and you have to react to what is in front of you, but myself and the Glasgow 10 [co-captain] Ceitidh Ainsworth played for Scotland under-20s together and we have a good understanding and a good relationship.
“I also think I have got better at communicating with the forwards in front of me while recently at Glasgow having an experienced international centre in Beth Blacklock around recently has been good just to see how she manages games and the territory battle and things like that.
“On that point, I have been putting practice into my box kicking and perhaps the more tactical elements of being a nine because the higher up the levels you go the more you need that in your game. It has been good to put those kicks into practice in some recent Glasgow games and learn more about when to run the ball and when to use to boot.”
Darroch, who is from Aviemore and went to Kingussie High School, is currently completing an HND in sports coaching at Glasgow Clyde College alongside her rugby commitments.
It is a busy time right now, but she would not have it any other way and having been a keen swimmer in her youth she knows all about balancing different commitments.
In terms of rugby, well she took it up aged 15 after sessions were started at her school.
She then played for Highland in Inverness, Caledonia regional sides and Scotland under-18 before making the move to Glasgow and continuing her progression at pace in the sport post-school.
“Having swum when I was younger and swimming being quite an induvial sport, to then find rugby and learn all about teamwork while making friends was brilliant in my teens,” Darroch concluded.
“I have just always tried to enjoy my rugby and I continue to do that whatever level I am playing at.
“And it is easy to play with a smile on your face in the Hillhead Jordanhill and Glasgow environments just now because there is a great team spirit in both camps and both teams like to play an attacking style off games and I like that.”
Rianna Darroch is pictured – thanks to Scottish Rugby and Glasgow Warriors