Aicha Sutcliffe says her Scotland debut was “insane” after she scored a try in the Women’s Six Nations match versus France on Saturday.
The Scots may have been beaten 69-28 by the title chasing visitors in the round four clash at Hive Stadium, but this was a better performance from the team than in the recent defeats versus England and Italy and they picked up a four-try bonus point.
The last of their four tries late on came from 21-year-old Sutcliffe – the hooker who is now with Stirling County and Glasgow Warriors and who came through at Huntly, The Gordon Schools, Highland and Strathallan School – when she powered over from a lineout drive.
After entering the fray in the 64th minute to become Scotland women’s cap 253 in the country’s 250th Test match, Sutcliffe told Scottish Rugby’s social media channels: “Making my Scotland debut was better than I ever thought it would be to be honest.
“To get on and then score a try on my first cap is kind of insane. To pull the thistle on, it means something different. I can’t put it into words what this means, but it was genuinely an honour to be out there.”
France ran in 11 tries and kicked seven conversions on their way to a comfortable victory in Edinburgh while, along with Sutcliffe’s try, centre Rachel Philipps scored two tries for Scotland with sub Emily Coubrough also going over and skipper Helen Nelson kicked four conversions.
Nelson said about Sutcliffe: “Oh, Aicha’s unbelievable, she’s got great energy.
“Her and Holland Bogan are a little bit of a double act off the pitch and they’re always making people laugh and smile around them.
“But I think Aicha’s got a really good way of switching on when we then get on pitch and when we’re in training. She takes things seriously, she wants to learn and she’s really dedicated becoming the best rugby player she can be.
“I was excited for her coming into the game and she did not disappoint, she really impressed me in this game.”
Later on Saturday after the France match, Sutcliffe’s day got even better when she was named coaches’ women’s player of the season at the Glasgow Warriors awards evening.
Holland Bogan was named women’s players’ player of the season while the women’s try of the season award went to Freya Walker, the back-rower rewarded for her 45-metre line break in January’s home Celtic Challenge clash with Gwalia Lightning.
And Ali Anderson of Hamilton Rugby Club was the other female honoured on the night as she won the community hero of the year award.
Aicha Sutcliffe’s great Saturday is pictured – thanks to Gareth Falls and Glasgow Warriors
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