Scotland Rugby League are playing men’s under-19, women’s and men’s international matches versus USA in Las Vegas in a landmark treble on late Friday and the early hours of Saturday UK time.
As the sport continues to grow north of the border this is a very exciting tour for all three squads and in the women’s group are Betti Ginnelly and Ciorstaidh Ainsworth who also play rugby union for Stewartry and Stirling County respectively.
They have both been on a journey with Scotland Rugby League women in recent months and it has led to this amazing tour.
Ginnelly said: “I’m incredibly excited to be in Las Vegas to represent Scotland Rugby League and earn my first full international cap.
“Having had the opportunity to gain valuable game time in last year’s development fixture against England Community Lions, this moment feels even more special and marks an important step in my journey.
“Spending time around the coaching team, backroom staff and the squad over the last year has been nothing short of motivating and I feel incredibly lucky to be around this group and environment.
“It’s an exciting time for the women’s game in Scotland, with Scotland Rugby League creating strong pathways for the long-term, with girls squads growing across the age groups, as well as the depth in the women’s squad growing. I’m proud to be part of this journey and hope to leave the shirt in a better place for the next generation of players.”
Ainsworth said: “I am excited to represent Scotland Rugby League in the USA.
“It’s a massive opportunity and a big step in the right direction for women’s rugby. As a team we are excited to demonstrate all the hard work we have put in over the past year and we are looking forward to showing that on game day on such a big stage.”
Ainsworth played in the England Community Lions non-cap game that Ginnelly mentioned which was an 18-4 loss in October in St Helens. She also played in the full international in Featherstone versus Jamaica in November which Scotland won 38-12. It was Scotland’s first ever women’s rugby league international win.
A Scotland Rugby League women’s team spokesman said: “A huge amount of organisation and hard work has gone into making this USA opportunity possible and we want to sincerely thank everyone who has played a part in bringing it to life, especially our sponsors and player sponsors. Without their support, this simply wouldn’t have happened.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and as a group we’re determined to make it count. We understand the challenge ahead, we respect the occasion and we’re clear on our objective, to deliver our second Test victory.”
The games against the USA take place at Coronado High School with the men’s under-19s at 3.45pm local time (11.45pm UK time), the women at 6pm local time (2am Saturday UK time) and the men at 8.15pm (4.15am Saturday UK time).
- In women’s rugby union, on Saturday play-off chasing Glasgow Warriors host Brython Thunder and bottom side Edinburgh Rugby host the Clovers in the Celtic Challenge. Both games are at 1pm.
There are also Arnold Clark Regional Play-Off Series, Sarah Beaney Cup, National Shield, Plate and Bowl games taking place throughout the weekend and an Edinburgh-Glasgow under-18 youth pathway programme clash at 4pm at the Hive on Saturday.
Betti Ginnelly and Ciorstaidh Ainsworth are pictured