As it is Mother’s Day let’s hear from the proud mum of one of Scotland’s most exciting rugby talents.
Since she burst onto the scene in the 2023 Six Nations, winger Francesca McGhie has become a key part of the national team set up, plays in the PWR at Leicester Tigers and is currently involved in the ongoing Guinness Women’s Six Nations.
She is still just 21 and has a bright future ahead, so let’s hear from her mum Fran…
“Francesca had stood a lot on rugby touchlines before she went to her first training session as she had years of watching her brother Kyle play,” Fran said.
“Also my husband Chris and I are lifelong rugby fans, so I suppose it was in the DNA of family life.
“Francesca was attending dance training at the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow with thoughts of being a professional dancer. However, team sport had always played a big part in her school life and in 2018 she was up for going to a taster training session at East Lothian Girls that I had seen on a social media post. She had fun and the rest is history.
“In terms of what drew her to rugby and has kept her there I think it was probably about challenging herself in a new team sport and that it was physical and fast paced.
“At first glance dance and rugby don’t appear to have much in common and tutus and scraped back hair seem far removed from gum shields and rucks, but there were certainly skills that were very transferable. Balance and flexibility definitely helped with her speed and strength for example.
“In the end she was happy to swap her dance shoes for rugby boots for good.”
A big help to Francesca has been having an older brother who also has played rugby to a high level.
Amongst others, scrum-half Kyle has played Scotland under-20s, for Stirling County in Super6/Series and is signed to English Championship team Hartpury.
“My husband Chris and I have spent all of Kyle and Francesca’s life supporting them both in every sport and art form they have enjoyed,” Fran explained.
“We are very proud of both Kyle and Francesca in all aspects of their lives and Kyle and Francesca give each other a lot of support.
“Chris and I have had the pleasure of watching them both play in many great rugby matches and one of those was Francesca’s first full Scotland cap.
“The family were all there and her first game which was the Six Nations campaign opener in March 2023 against the Red Roses. It marked Sarah Hunter’s last cap for England so it was a match full of emotion all-round in a packed Kingston Park in Newcastle.
“Francesca is playing the best game in the world so I’m always excited to watch a match. As a lifelong Scotland rugby fan you get used to being put through a rollercoaster of emotions.
“I am very proud of Francesca being on this incredible journey with this amazing group of talented women.
“It’s such an exciting time for women’s rugby and Scotland women are going from strength to strength and achieving great things.
“It is special that, as successful athletes, Scotland women can be inspirational role models and can have such a positive impact in terms of girls taking up and following sport. With the World Cup in England later in the year, it is so exciting for everyone involved.
“Moreover, for Scotland women to be playing against new opposition on the international stage is a powerful prospect so the family are looking forward to being at the games in England.”
So, what kind of character is Francesca who broke through at Watsonians and then was named a World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year award nominee in 2023?
“I think Francesca’s character off pitch is mirrored on pitch,” her mum said.
“Hard work, determination and hustle are qualities demonstrated by Francesca and all her team mates through a collective mindset to strive for the best and she has all of these qualities.
“And I think Francesca is charismatic, light-hearted and fun loving which are all important in such an intense environment as elite sport.
“We are so proud of everything she has done and continues to do.”
The Guinness Women’s Six Nations runs from March 22 to April 26 and, next up, Scotland are at Hive Stadium in round three versus Italy on April 13 – get tickets for the two Scotland remaining home games here.
Francesca McGhie is pictured with her parents Fran and Chris at a Scotland match
GH Media will be covering Scotland women’s journey right through to Rugby World Cup 2025, bringing insight from within the camp throughout and featuring other parts of the game in this country too – thanks to those already supporting the content, if you or your company would like to get involved please email gary@gh-media.co.uk