When Scotland women played the first of eight matches they have played so far at Murrayfield back in 2002, Emily Coubrough was not even born.
But ahead of the women’s national team’s ninth outing at the national stadium in Edinburgh – and the first standalone one with a crowd – the 19-year-old is set have a big part to play this coming weekend against England.
That is because the Biggar product, who is now studying at Edinburgh University and is also a Scottish Rugby-supported player, had an excellent debut at No.8 versus Wales in round of the Women’s Six Nations last weekend as the visitors won 24-19 in the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Coubrough, now Scotland cap number 249, can only have dreamt of playing for her country at this age and, in a few days’ time, she may also get to live the dream of playing at Murrayfield in front of a crowd of over 25,000.
The world champion Red Roses will be in town on Saturday and, with the Scotland matchday 23 for the round two clash to be named on Thursday, Coubrough’s second cap looks likely to come in this milestone clash.
Replacing the retired Jade Konkel and the injured Evie Gallagher at No.8 was a big task for Glasgow Warrior Coubrough, but she did it well in the Welsh capital.
Well, in fact she did it more than well as she made 15 carries, made 19 tackles and completed a lineout steal for good measure while playing the full 80 plus minutes and justified head coach Sione Fukofuka’s selection.
“Outstanding, absolutely outstanding,” was Scotland assistant coach Dave Butcher’s assessment of the former under-20 cap’s full debut and given he looks after the forwards that was some praise.
“She was broken on Monday, her body was screaming ‘what have you just put me through’?
“But if were watching the Wales game and you didn’t know she was earning her first cap and that she’s still 19, I don’t think you would have known that. Her outputs in terms of physical metrics and number of tackles made and everything was absolutely outstanding in the game, up there with the best in the squad.
“And I think it kind of showed on Monday with her still hobbling about after how much she’d put her body through in the game.
“The fact she could jump into that arena and compete at that level at such a young age – and such a young training age in terms of time she has spent in an elite environment – I just think is amazing.
“And thinking about five years down the line when she’s been in X amount of camps, she’s played lots of pro rugby, been with Scotland and been under the barbell [in the gym] a little bit more is exciting, I think she’s going to be outstanding.”
Coubrough, who grew up on her family’s farm just outside of Biggar, first played rugby in senior one after joining Biggar High School’s ‘School of Rugby’ in conjunction with the local rugby club.
“That got me down to training at Biggar with the under-12 squad at the club and, at that stage, I just loved staying active and playing with all my friends for fun and things went from there,” she said in a previous interview.
- Over 25,000 tickets have been sold for Scotland-England, join in the fun by getting tickets here – before the senior game at 1.30pm at Murrayfield the under-21 sides from both countries are meeting at Hive Stadium at 11am.
Emily Coubrough is pictured celebrating versus Wales with her team mates – thanks to Scottish Rugby
The Women’s Six Nations is here and the 2026 event runs from April 11 to May 17 and, between April 6 and May 20, GH Media will be covering Scotland’s campaign and the wider tournament – keep an eye out for content and thanks to everyone who supports GH Media’s work within women’s rugby