Having started playing rugby properly in Australia and recently played at a high level in Scotland, Claudia McLaren is the perfect person to speak to ahead of the big WXV 2 match between the nations.
With a dad James playing at a high level with Glasgow Warriors, Scotland and others as she grew up, rugby was always something that she was aware of.
“I was born in Scotland and we moved to France [where her dad played] and back when I was young and then moved to France again where I lived until I was 12,” globetrotter Claudia, now 26, said.
“After that we moved to Australia where I lived until last year.
“Although dad was playing, I wouldn’t say I knew too much about rugby as a youngster. I remember playing a bit in PE at school and going to a lot of my dad’s games, but it wasn’t really an option for me to play as a young girl at that time.
“Growing up around the game though I have such fond memories of the people I have met thanks to rugby and the opportunities it has given me and my family.
“I started playing rugby properly when I was 20 in a town named Bathurst in Australia and soon after I began travelling to Sydney to play sevens with Southern Districts which is where I developed a real love for it.
“I played with many teams in Australia after that across sevens and XVs throughout New South Wales and East Brisbane in Queensland and a club I spent a lot of time with was the Bathurst Bulldogs.”
So, how did her return to Scotland come about?
“I was always looking to play rugby abroad in the UK and was initially contracted by Worcester Warriors until they went into administration last year,” she explained.
“That is when I decided to move to Scotland and join Stirling County and try and push for involvement in the Celtic Challenge.
“My parents have always spoken so highly of their time at County, so being able to return to the place I was born – and where I attended my first rugby game at County at three-days-old! – 25 years after my dad played was really special.
“Winning the Premiership last season alongside such a great team of girls and coaches who welcomed me so openly made it even better.
“Being part of the inaugural Glasgow Warriors women’s team in the Celtic Challenge was a really cool experience as well although it was a bit of a shock warming up in snow for the first time!”
Claudia, whose dad was a hard-hitting centre who played for Bordeaux-Begles and Bayonne back in the day, is now in France continuing her exciting rugby journey.
“My move to France is very recent and something I am very grateful for, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support of some special people,” she stated.
“I am training with the Stade Rochelais Feminine and it has been a big transition, but the staff and girls are so welcoming and their program is fantastic.”
And, given she is Scottish and Australian qualified, who will Claudia be cheering on in the big game in WXV 2 this weekend?
“It is always difficult when Australia and Scotland come up against each other, I feel very conflicted and am usually supporting the team that’s trailing behind,” she added.
“I always make an effort to watch them as it always makes for a great contest especially this one with how the quality of the women’s game has continued to improve over the years.
“I have a soft spot for Scotland and a few old team mates in the Australian team so it’s always great to support them as well.”
The Scotland-Australia game is at 4pm UK time on Saturday at the Athlone Sports Stadium and live on BBC iPlayer and RugbyPass TV
Scotland women’s matchday squad for the WXV 2 clash with Australia
15 Chloe Rollie (Ealing Trailfinders) (69)
14 Coreen Grant (Saracens) (13)
13 Emma Orr (Bristol Bears) (23)
12 Lisa Thomson (Ealing Trailfinders) (63)
11 Francesca McGhie (Leicester Tigers) (16)
10 Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning) (64)
9 Leia Brebner-Holden (Gloucester-Hartpury/Cheltenham Tigers) (4)
1 Leah Bartlett (Leicester Tigers) (37)
2 Lana Skelson (Bristol Bears) (73)
3 Elliann Clarke (Bristol Bears) (14)
4 Eva Donaldson (Leicester Tigers) (14)
5 Sarah Bonar (Harlequins) (41)
6 Rachel Malcolm (Loughborough Lightning, C) (51)
7 Rachel McLachlan (Montpellier) (45)
8 Evie Gallagher (Bristol Bears) (31)
Subs
16 Elis Martin (Loughborough Lightning) (14)
17 Anne Young (Loughborough Lightning) (14)
18 Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning) (39)
19 Louise McMillan (Saracens) (57)
20 Jade Konkel (Harlequins) (65)
21 Caity Mattinson (Ealing Trailfinders) (26)
22 Meryl Smith (Bristol Bears) (21)
23 Lucia Scott (Hartpury University/Gloucester Hartpury) (3)
Thanks to Claudia for the photos
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