Rachel McLachlan has been in and around the Scotland squad since 2019 and the Montpellier back-rower is set to earn her 50th cap versus England on Saturday in Leicester in round four of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations.
When the Edinburgh native was 18 in 2017 and moved along the M8 to Glasgow for university she decided to stop judo – at which she had reached a very good level – and took up rugby.
It was a big decision at the time, but judo’s loss was rugby’s gain and she made her Scotland debut just 14 months after first picking up a ball.
“I loved judo for most of the time I was doing it, but when I moved to Glasgow for uni and most of the training was in Edinburgh I knew that I couldn’t give it 100 percent and I am someone that gives 100 percent to everything that I do,” the qualified physio who has played for the likes of West of Scotland Stirling County, DMP Sharks and Sale Sharks over the years, recounts.
“I found rugby and it reignited my love for sport and it was a new challenge that I jumped right into and I am so glad that I did.
“If you spoke to some of the girls who were at the first Glasgow Caledonian University rugby session I went to they might think it is as wild as me that I have made it to 50 caps as I had no idea what I was doing, but I really did just love it from that moment.
“I think from day one number seven was always going to be position given my height and the energy that I have.
“I remember at one of my first training sessions I ran head first towards a tackle bag and tackled it as hard as I could and from that moment the coach had me pinned down as an openside.
“I also loved making that tackle and have loved learning all about how a number seven can be a proper nuisance on the pitch throughout the years since and I am always looking to improve and get better.”
The first cap came in late 2018 and six-and-a half-years seems to have gone by in a flash for the now 26-year-old.
“I am really excited about the weekend, but if feels a bit surreal to be getting my 50th cap,” Rachel continued.
“I have been in and around the squad for a while, but I am always grateful for the opportunity to pull on a Scotland shirt and the privilege that we have to do that is never, ever lost on me.
“I definitely can recall my first cap. It was an Autumn Test match over in Italy in 2018 and I was only 19.
“I had just been playing rugby for 14 months at that point and I came off the bench and ran around like a headless chicken to be honest!
“Seriously though, I remember just loving the experience and knowing then that I wanted more of that.
“The opportunity to play for Scotland is immense and I just try to work hard and give everything for the team.
“Since that Italy game I have improved massively as a player and Scotland women’s rugby has improved massively too. We all love playing in the same team together and growing together and the great thing about it is that we know we have so much more growth left in us and that is the exciting thing.”
Scotland squad to play England: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie; Helen Nelson (C), Caity Mattinson; Anne Young, Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke, Becky Boyd, Sarah Bonar, Evie Gallagher, Rachel McLachlan, Jade Konkel. Subs: Elis Martin, Leah Bartlett, Molly Poolman, Adelle Ferrie, Gemma Bell, Rhea Clarke, Rachel Philipps, Lucia Scott.
The Guinness Women’s Six Nations runs from March 22 to April 26 and, next up at home, Scotland are at Hive Stadium in round five versus Ireland on the final day – get tickets here.
Rachel McLachlan is pictured now in her rugby days and back in her judo days – thanks to Ruby Adam Photography for the recent rugby photo
GH Media will be covering Scotland women’s journey right through to Rugby World Cup 2025, bringing insight from within the camp throughout and featuring other parts of the game in this country too – thanks to those already supporting the content, if you or your company would like to get involved please email gary@gh-media.co.uk