Chloe Rollie is set to become just the eighth ever female rugby player to earn 75 caps or more for Scotland this weekend when the squad take on Ireland in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations round five clash.
The two old rivals will meet at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh on Saturday and it is perhaps fitting that the milestone moment will arrive for the 29-year-old full-back against the team in green given she scored a ‘worldie’ try against the same opponents in a victory in Dublin in 2018.
That is just one moment of attacking brilliance from Jedburgh’s Rollie that has come in a Scotland shirt since her debut 10 years ago and she has bagged 26 tries to put her third on Scotland women’s all-time list.
In terms of caps she is now just behind Donna Kennedy (115), Heather Lockhart (89), Karen Findlay (86), her good pal and current team mate Lana Skeldon (78, becoming 79 this weekend), Lee Cockburn, Paula Chalmers (both 77) and Beth Macleod (76).
And, in terms of the try scoring list, only Lucy Millard (37) and Donna Kennedy (29) have dotted down for their country more.
So, what makes Rollie, the Trailfinders Women back three talent, such an important part of what Scotland do?
“Chloe has been great for us again this year,” head coach Bryan Easson said.
“She has grown as a player and as an individual in recent years and to young players she is a great example to follow around what a pro player looks like and the behaviours that are required.
“We have got leaders in certain areas of the game and Chloe likes to drive the recovery side of things within the group.
“Having 74 going into 75 caps she understands the levels you need your body to be at to play modern day international rugby on the pitch and off the pitch.
“Chloe is very professional, I’d say a model professional, and even on Thursday [on the players’ day off] I saw her around the team hotel and she was heading up to the Oriam to do some work in the hydropool just to make sure that she is feeling as good as she can for tis big game versus Ireland.
“She wants to be the best player that she can be and she is always striving to get better while her professionalism rubs off on others around her.
“Chloe is a great player to have around the set up.”
The game is at 2.30pm on Saturday and will be shown on BBC iPlayer while there is tracking to be over 6,000 supporters inside the Hive.
The Grand Slam decider between England and France at Allianz Stadium Twickenham is then at 4.45pm and Italy-Wales in Parma rounding off this year’s tournament at 11.30am UK time on Sunday.
Scotland squad to play Ireland: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie; Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke, Jade Konkel, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (C), Rachel McLachlan, Evie Gallagher. Subs: Elis Martin, Anne Young, Molly Poolman, Becky Boyd, Gemma Bell, Rhea Clarke, Evie Wills, Lucia Scott.
The Guinness Women’s Six Nations runs from March 22 to April 26 and, next up at home, Scotland are at Hive Stadium in round five versus Ireland on the final day – get tickets here.
Chloe Rollie is pictured – thanks to Mark Brown
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