Gary Heatly in Manchester
Elliann Clarke has a “humungous future” ahead of her and is a “phenomenal athlete”.
That is the view of Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm as she backed the 24-year-old Bristol Bears tighthead prop to have a big part to play in the Women’s Rugby World Cup opener versus Wales at the weekend and for the rest of the tournament.
Clarke, who began her rugby journey at Dunfermline Minis before playing for Stirling County and Edinburgh University and then moving into the pro ranks, has been in and around the national team squad for a while now and was at the last World Cup in New Zealand in 2022.
However, she had to bide her team to earn a first start last September on cap number 13 versus Fiji.
Since then the number three jersey has been hers and, now with 22 caps under her belt, back-rower Malcolm has real faith in Clarke ahead of the Welsh clash at the Salford Community Stadium on Saturday (2.45pm, live on the BBC).
“I said from the day that Elliann first came into this squad that she had a humongous future ahead of her and I think she’s proved us more than right in that sense,” Malcolm said.
“She’s a phenomenal athlete and I think as she’s grown into the game and grown into that role as a tighthead. I think particularly being down at Bristol Bears, where she’s had some pretty phenomenal front-rowers to train against and learn from, has been a massive step forward for her and I think we’ve started to see a very confident Elliann.
“She’s not necessarily the loudest person around the group, but she has come in with this kind of air of confidence in the last couple of months and I think we’re seeing that on the pitch now.
“She has got a big job to come against Wales.
“It’s going to be a big upfront battle like it always is and I think she’s up to the challenge to go and try and dominate that space.
“Elliann’s been our most consistent performer in and around training and in terms of scrummaging and lineout stuff recently so I am very excited to see her go.
“She’s someone who’s pretty cool and calm under pressure, so you’ll not see or hear anything about it from her, but as a team we know how important she is.”
Head coach Bryan Easson added: “I don’t think she gets the credit she deserves, to be honest with you.
“As Rachel said, she just goes about her business, but she’s so strong.
“Set piece-wise, she’s excellent, but you don’t see many tightheads get on the ball as much as she does in the loose making as many tackles and just bringing that all round game.
“We are very lucky to have her.”
The tournament in England runs from August 22 to September 27 and the Scotland group stage matches are against Wales on Saturday, Fiji in Manchester on August 30 and Canada in Exeter on September 6.
The top two from each pool will make it through to the last eight in the 16-team event with a quarter-final spot definitely achievable for the Scots.
- The squads for Saturday’s other Pool B game between Canada and Fiji are out now.
Scotland squad to play Wales: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie; Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke, Emma Wassell, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (C), Rachel McLachlan, Evie Gallagher. Subs: Elis Martin, Molly Wright, Lisa Cockburn, Jade Konkel, Eva Donaldson, Alex Stewart, Caity Mattinson, Beth Blacklock.
The Wales matchday 23 is here.
Elliann Clarke is pictured – 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.