While Scotland’s women will be in South Africa trying to win a XVs trophy this weekend, up-and-coming Watsonians player Mary Nelson will be in Kenya searching for sevens silverware.
The 20-year-old scrum-half has been selected as part of the Shogun RFC squad, along with former Scotland winger and current Heriot’s director of rugby Megan Gaffney, that will be taking part in the Safari Sevens from Friday until Sunday in Nairobi.
The Safari Sevens was first held in 1996 and has since grown in popularity, attracting top rugby talent and large crowds of enthusiastic supporters.
“This is an incredible opportunity to play rugby for an invitational club with such a rich history,” Scotland Futures cap Nelson said.
“Some of the greatest players in the game have been part of Samurai and now Shogun and I’m excited to join that legacy. It’s also my first visit to Africa, and I can’t wait to experience Nairobi and hopefully go on a mini safari.
“Women’s rugby has given me opportunities I never imagined just a few years ago.
“I’ve had a good few run outs and competition wins in sevens before.
“I’ve had the honour of playing in the Melrose Sevens and the Dubai Sevens Open event for Hearts and Balls, and I also enjoyed winning the Cheltenham Sevens and other tournaments in England with the invitational side Hammerheads.
“I have also had some valuable game time with Boom Beavers down south which I feel have nicely set me up for the Safari Sevens with Shogun.
“As a scrum-half, in sevens I love the role of being a distributor and decision maker. The fast pace and effort required in sevens really suits my playing style.”
Nelson grew up in Edinburgh – “just over the hill from Murrayfield” – and has attending games at the national stadium since she was young.
“I come from a passionate rugby family and have been going to Murrayfield since I was a child,” the fourth year student at the University of Dundee who is studying history and politics said.
“I started playing rugby at the Royal High School with Stevie Leckie, and my first team was Lismore under-14s with Eric Jones. From the very start I loved the game, it’s such an exciting, dynamic sport.
“I joined Watsonians just before Covid, but I couldn’t play women’s rugby until winter 2021. My first game for the club was in the memorial match for Siobhan Cattigan that December.
“I love playing for Watsonians, the team is fantastic and we all work hard to achieve results. Bruce Millar keeps us sharp with squad rotations and competition for jerseys.
“This is my fourth season at Watsonians and, in that time, we’ve won two Sarah Beaney Cups and the Women’s Premiership. I’m so proud to be part of that success.”
In the summer of 2023, Nelson represented the Scottish Futures in Italy and she has also been part of the Edinburgh Rugby squad in the Celtic Challenge.
These are exciting times for her then – and for women’s rugby in general in this country with the national team one game away from potentially winning the WXV 2 title again.
“The current form of the Scotland women’s team is so inspiring,” Nelson stated.
“They’re working incredibly hard and leading by example. There are so many opportunities now for girls to play at a high level. The pathway system, Futures/under-20s, and the Celtic Challenge have really helped me develop and I am excited looking forward.”
The Scotland-Australia game is at 4pm UK time on Saturday at the Athlone Sports Stadium and live on BBC iPlayer and RugbyPass TV
Scotland women’s matchday squad for the WXV 2 clash with Australia
15 Chloe Rollie (Ealing Trailfinders) (69)
14 Coreen Grant (Saracens) (13)
13 Emma Orr (Bristol Bears) (23)
12 Lisa Thomson (Ealing Trailfinders) (63)
11 Francesca McGhie (Leicester Tigers) (16)
10 Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning) (64)
9 Leia Brebner-Holden (Gloucester-Hartpury/Cheltenham Tigers) (4)
1 Leah Bartlett (Leicester Tigers) (37)
2 Lana Skelson (Bristol Bears) (73)
3 Elliann Clarke (Bristol Bears) (14)
4 Eva Donaldson (Leicester Tigers) (14)
5 Sarah Bonar (Harlequins) (41)
6 Rachel Malcolm (Loughborough Lightning, C) (51)
7 Rachel McLachlan (Montpellier) (45)
8 Evie Gallagher (Bristol Bears) (31)
Subs
16 Elis Martin (Loughborough Lightning) (14)
17 Anne Young (Loughborough Lightning) (14)
18 Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning) (39)
19 Louise McMillan (Saracens) (57)
20 Jade Konkel (Harlequins) (65)
21 Caity Mattinson (Ealing Trailfinders) (26)
22 Meryl Smith (Bristol Bears) (21)
23 Lucia Scott (Hartpury University/Gloucester Hartpury) (3)
Mary Nelson is pictured playing for Watsonians, thanks to N50 Photography
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