Sarah Bonar is on the way back from injury and cannot wait to play for Scotland at her second Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Along with fellow forward Jade Konkel and back Francesca McGhie, the Harlequins second-row from Aberdeen missed the Summer Tests with Italy and Ireland.
That is because during the warm-up period over the past couple of months she suffered a foot and ankle injury in training that required surgery.
The 31-year-old has been a mainstay of the Scotland squad since 2016, but the former high-level rower has had her fair share of injuries to contend with in that time.
There were a few bumps in the road in the early days and then she missed the 2023 Six Nations with a collarbone injury before returning to help the national team win the WXV 2 tournament in South Africa later that year.
She then started the Six Nations opener in 2024 in Wales, but went off with a shoulder injury and missed the rest of the competition.
Since then, she has been back and the 47-capper is expected to play a big part at the World Cup in England after the latest scare.
The event runs from August 22 to September 27 and the Scotland pool matches are against Wales in Manchester on August 23, Fiji in Manchester on August 30 and Canada in Exeter on September 6.
On Thursday the Scotland squad was named in St Andrews and Bonar said about her recent lay-off: “It was a training injury coming down from a lineout. My foot and ankle needed a wee bit of attention, but we’re on the way back now.
“Obviously going into a World Cup it’s an athlete’s absolute fear [getting injured]. It hasn’t been the ideal prep for myself individually, but we’re doing everything we can to cover all the basis and keep fitness up to a level.
“I’ve been in and around the girls for both Italy and Ireland so I’m across the detail of the game and we’re making the best out of my situation
“I was [in the coaching box] reviewing the lineouts as the game in Ireland was going on I was seeing how Ireland were defending and where our attacking opportunities were.
“It was a really cool opportunity to get an idea of how the coaches operate, what solutions are being sent down to the pitch and how that communication works.
“Not often would I say experience [of previous injuries] is a good thing or my age, but I am fortunate that I have been in this situation before and I’m not new to Test match rugby.
“With it being my second World Cup too, I do think that has helped me out, especially from the mental aspect of returning from injury.”
Wales up first down south is going to be a close match one would imagine.
And Bonar, who combines her rugby with work in the RAF, added: “Wales is always a battle. If we just stick to our game plan and do our basics really well then hopefully we’re in it come the last few minutes.”
The Scotland squad will next meet up in Edinburgh on Thursday before travelling to Manchester on Friday.
- The 32-strong Fiji squad has been named for the World Cup
The Canada and Scotland squads have previously been announced meaning that when the Wales squad is named at the start of the coming week we will have a full house for Pool B.
Scotland Women’s Rugby World Cup squad
Forwards: Leah Bartlett, Becky Boyd, Sarah Bonar, Elliann Clarke, Lisa Cockburn, Eva Donaldson, Evie Gallagher, Adelle Ferrie, Jade Konkel, Rachel Malcolm (C), Elis Martin, Rachel McLachlan, Molly Poolman, Lana Skeldon, Alex Stewart, Emma Wassell, Molly Wright, Anne Young.
Backs: Leia Brebner-Holden, Beth Blacklock, Rhea Clarke, Coreen Grant, Rhona Lloyd, Caity Mattinson, Francesca McGhie, Helen Nelson, Emma Orr, Hannah Ramsay, Chloe Rollie, Lisa Thomson, Hannah Walker, Evie Wills.
Sarah Bonar is pictured at the squad announcement – thanks to N50 Photography
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.