Adele and Malcolm Clarke admit it was “one of the proudest and most emotional days” of their lives on Saturday watching daughters Elliann and Rhea play together for the Scotland women’s rugby team for the first time.
At the weekend, the Scots were in Leicester taking on the world number one and Grand Slam chasing England Red Roses at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in round four of Guinness Women’s Six Nations action.
They found themselves 42-0 down at the break, but they rallied in the second period and a try from centre Lisa Thomson came along with a conversion from stand-off and captain Helen Nelson as it finished 59-7.
A tough day down south for the team then, but an amazing day for the Clarke family with Adele and Malcolm watching on from the stands.
Elliann, the tighthead prop who is 24, was winning her 19th cap while younger sister Rhea, the 21-year-old scrum-half, came off the bench in the 60th minute for her full debut.
“When we realised Rhea was warming up our excitement and nerves absolutely went through the roof,” Malcolm recounts.
“Seeing her standing there waiting for the moment to come on was a pretty intense mixture of pride, nerves and expectation.
“You know how well they can play and you just want them to be able to show that – to do themselves and the team proud.
“And watching her actually cross that touchline to become a Scotland international alongside Elliann was just incredible.
“It’s been something that they’ve always hoped for and we’ve always backed them on the journey toward it.
“Adele and myself were both thinking how much it would have meant to their late grandfathers, both of whom loved rugby and encouraged the girls.
“When you see your children achieving things they’ve dreamt of and worked really hard for, it’s just unbelievably special.
“Rhea came on straight into things and we were just willing for her to relax into doing her job and not be overwhelmed.”
Elliann came off the pitch around six minutes after Rhea came on and they are now Scotland caps 231 and 245 and have been out there at the top level together.
Adele said: “It was just such a privilege to see them playing together, we didn’t know if they’d actually get any time on together so for that to happen on Rhea’s first cap was just phenomenal.
“They love playing together and have always been so supportive of each other’s journeys so them being on the pitch at the same time just took a special day to another level, it was absolutely the stuff dreams are made of.
“They’ll never forget that day, nor will all the family and friends who’ve supported them along the way.”
Back-row Gemma Bell, 20, and centre Rachel Philipps, 23, also got on for debuts in the second half to become cap numbers 246 and 247.
And throw into the mix that it was Rachel McLachlan’s 50th cap and there was quite a collection of squad members, backroom staff and family and friends on the pitch after the game to mark these milestones.
“We were chaperoned down to the pitch from the stands and we all got to join the circle to see Rhea and Gemma and Rachel get presented with their first caps,” Adele explained.
“It was extra special for Rhea to share the moment with Elliann and to see the others getting their caps and everyone celebrating Rachel McLachlan’s 50th cap.
“During the game and at that point, everyone else who was watching on TV was sending us messages and we were grateful for the dog-sitters that meant we could make it down to the game!
“It was just an incredible day.”
Elliann began playing rugby in the Dunfermline Minis when she was five, when she and her brother Callum headed along to McKane Park, and Rhea joined them soon after.
In their teens, the sisters joined Stirling County and since then they have both played for Edinburgh University with Rhea still there and turning out for Edinburgh Rugby and Elliann down south with Bristol Bears.
Did the parents think they’d end up with two rugby-loving daughters?
“Well, probably, because we’re a rugby-loving family, but daughters as pro/semi-pro rugby players, no,” Adele said.
“They had many other interests growing up and, to be honest, I always joke that I thought I’d be raising eco-warriors rather than rugby warriors, but fair doos, they love it, have worked incredibly hard and are pretty inspirationaL.
“Getting to share the journey with them and support something they are passionate about is just brilliant.
“And they had so many supportive coaches along the way in their junior days who just kept creating opportunities for the girls, even if it was just a handful of them in a dark muddy field. They encouraged them to keep going and we were happy to get behind that.”
Despite living away from home now, the girls love returning to Fife – their parents live in Saline – whenever they can and are each other’s biggest supporters.
Adele concluded: “Probably above anything else we are proud of the way they support each other because we always wanted them to be caring people and to help each other along the way.
“I think that’s partly why they fell in love with rugby, the values and the supportive environment it fosters – especially in the women’s game – is very special.”
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.
The Clarkes are pictured – thanks to the family for the photos
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