At Mullingar RFC’s ground from 8am on Wednesday morning until some point later on Thursday there are going to be simultaneous attempts to set the Guinness world records for the longest games of both men’s and women’s rugby.
There are some Scottish men involved in that game and there are seven women with Scottish links involved in that game.
You can read more about the logistics of the ‘Longest Game 2025’ challenge – and hear from former Scotland caps Ali Mackenzie-Cooper and Hazel Malakoty as well as Lee Murru – here.
And you can hear from their fellow participants below…
Yvonne Tunnicliff, the 39-year-old who is currently linked to the Falkirk club and previously played for Preston Grasshoppers and represented Lancashire at county level, is looking forward to it all.
“Rugby has been my life since I was 17, I have tried to retire many times and took up refereeing to stay involved,” she explained.
“I found the Wooden Spoon charity a year ago and have met so many amazing people through it.
“With a big birthday coming up, I thought I would try something a bit wild like an attempt to become a world record holder. It’s going to be very tough both physically and mentally, but remembering the people we will be helping with our fundraising will keep us going right until the end.
“I am also volunteering at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in York in August and hope to have some good stories to tell from this week then.”
Emma Riach, 45, took up rugby in 2017 and has found it to be great for both her mental and physical health.
“No matter the team, I have found that rugby is a sport which focuses on comradery, acceptance and respect,” Riach who currently plays – and is medic for – the Turriff and Garioch clubs, said.
“I was apprehensive about this challenge at first, but drew strength and inspiration from my eldest daughter, Megan, who recently played for Edinburgh Rugby in the Celtic Challenge and is currently in the wider Scotland under-20 squad.
“I joined Wooden Spoon in 2023 and have had some amazing adventures with likeminded ‘golden oldies’ whilst raising vital funds along the way.
“This, however, is by far the craziest thing the charity has roped me in to. I’m not very good at saying no, so here we are!
“This will be an extreme challenge, but a temporary discomfort which will do so much good for so many who are faced with daily struggles.”
Nicola Caldwell, the 48-year-old who is involved with Handsworth Ladies and started playing at the East Kilbride club in 1998, said: “I got involved with Wooden Spoon last year because you can really see the difference the charity makes to the lives of young people.
“And I got involved in this challenge because I love rugby and I truly believe in the values of Wooden Spoon and Looseheadz.
“I’m expecting the game to be exhausting both mentally and physically, but I know with the support of everyone involved that I will have an amazing time and make lots of new friends.”
And Paige Anastacia, the England Deaf internationalist who featured via RugbyPass last year, is also involved.
The 30-year-old Stirling County front-rower said: “I’ve been involved with Wooden Spoon for the last couple of years and I’ve met some amazing people from all over.
“The work the charity does to help disadvantaged children is amazing while what Looseheadz does is also close to my heart.
“I’m not entirely sure what I’m expecting from the challenge to be honest, but I’m looking forward to it.
“I know, mentally it’s going to be a challenge, more than the half marathon I ran last year, but across the women and men’s teams there are 92 of us in the same boat pushing for the same goal.”
Tickets for Scotland-England at Murrayfield in April 2026 can be purchased here.
The main picture shows Ali Mackenzie-Cooper while other ‘Longest Game’ participants are also pictured
GH Media has covered Scotland women’s journey to this point and will be covering Scotland women’s journey right through to the end of the Women’s 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