Molly Poolman’s Scotland team mates and coaches have hailed the tighthead prop’s skill and determination to get to the line after her stunning effort against Italy was named try of round three in the Women’s Six Nations.
The 21-year-old Howe of Fife product, who now plays for Watsonians and Edinburgh Rugby, is currently preparing with the national squad for Saturday’s round four clash with France at Hive Stadium.
And this week the players have all allowed themselves to once or twice watch the video of Poolman, who had come on for her 10th cap in the 56th minute, getting the ball from fellow sub Elis Martin some 30 plus metres out in Parma on April 25 in the 73rd minute.
She then outfoxed a defender and ran in for a try under the posts – it really was her Rhys Carre moment.
It was not a great day for Scotland at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi – they lost 41-14 and are fifth in the competition standings after one win and two defeats to date – but that was certainly a bright spot and some way for Poolman to score her first international try.
After the score got over 40 percent of the public vote to be crowned try of the round, Poolman’s team mate Hollie Cunningham, the second-row, said: “Oh, isn’t that what dreams are made of, it was so good.
“The hands from Elis were so good and then I don’t think people quite understand the subtlety that you need to be able to stay square and fix a defender like Molly did when you are on the move.
“The fact that Molly had the skill to dummy the defender that was coming across was just so good and you could see how happy she was when she scored.”
Asked if she was worried that Poolman might now be after her spot on the wing, Francesca McGhie smiled and said: “I think after that try she can have it, absolutely!
“Seriously though, it was great. The joy on her face when she scored it and the joy on all of ours was just brilliant.
“The video clip has been circulating quite a lot and rightly so.”
Assistant coach Claire Cruikshank added: “That was brilliant, wasn’t it?
“The soft hands from Elis to put her through the space and then the confidence from Molly to show and go and put that dummy in was great and you could see on her face how excited she was.
“She’s always had that capability, I’ve been lucky enough to be coaching Molly for the last three years at Edinburgh and through the under-20s before. She’s a very skilful player, yes, she’s also a very good set piece player and that’s a big part of her game, but she has some really nice soft skills and she’s got a turn of pace as well.”
The Scotland matchday 23 to face France will be named on Thursday lunchtime.
Molly Poolman and her team mates are pictured celebrating her try – thanks to Women’s Six Nations
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