Hannah Ramsay joined Scotland’s squad that is competing in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations this week and the young playmaker has already made quite an impression.
During the pre-tournament camps and the Welsh week she was part of the wider group as a day trainer, but, with Meg Varley now confirmed as out with hamstring injury that will keep her sidelined for quite a long period, Ramsay is part of the main 34-strong group for now.
“Having a good run at stand-off for Edinburgh Rugby during the Celtic Challenge has really helped me with my game,” the player said while on duty with the capital club a few weeks ago.
“I don’t think I was expecting to get so much game time as I had in this year’s competition as last year I was often on the bench, but getting a run of games at 10 has been such a good experience for me.
“I have really been enjoying my rugby and being given a key position in the team helped me build up my confidence. I really focused on my game management and running a backline and things like which areas of the pitch to play in and which option to take and I think as the competition went on I grew into the role and working out those things and I just tried to help the team as much as I could.
“I also learnt a lot about communicating more to players around me and trying to boss the game at times as a 10.”
So, how did Ramsay, now 21, get into rugby?
Well, there was a taster session at her primary school in South Queensferry and then, after time at Linlithgow and Livingston, she played for Corstorphine Cougars in the top flight and then, this season, was turning out for Edinburgh University in the BUCS Super Rugby competition before joining up with Edinburgh and now Scotland.
“I have been in a few different rugby environments now and I just try to learn from everyone around me and always strive to be a better player,” the Edinburgh Napier University sport and exercise science fourth year student stated.
“Last summer I was away with the under-20s at a tournament in Italy and I took a lot from that and have just tried to kick on this season.
“The last two years things rugby-wise have really been on an upwards curve for me and that has been great because before that I had an ACL knee injury which kept me out of action for a long spell.
In fact, because of the pandemic and the injury I didn’t play rugby for about two years so, having missed it so much, I just enjoy every training session and match now.”
Having only recently stepped up to be a full member of the squad, Ramsay is not part of the Scotland matchday 23 that will be in France this weekend for round two of the Six Nations, but the coaches are liking what they are seeing from her.
Head coach Bryan Easson said: “Hannah is a young player who came in last year as a day trainer and started off ahead of the Six Nations as a day trainer too.
“With Meg Varley’s injury, Hannah has now joined our training squad full-time and, seeing her now, the difference in a year is huge.
“She is still young, but as a 10 she’s just got that maturity now of having played more rugby and the Celtic Challenge has obviously been good for her.
“Hannah has got really good distribution skills and she’s got a huge boot on her as well. We are excited to watch her progress.”
Scotland squad to play France: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie; Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Anne Young, Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke, Hollie Cunningham, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (C), Rachel McLachlan, Jade Konkel. Subs: Elis Martin, Leah Bartlett, Molly Poolman, Adelle Ferrie, Becky Boyd, Alex Stewart, Caity Mattinson, Evie Wills.
The Guinness Women’s Six Nations runs from March 22 to April 26 and, after a trip to France in round two on March 29, Scotland are at Hive Stadium in round three versus Italy on April 13 – get tickets for the two Scotland remaining home games here.
Hannah Ramsay is pictured at Scotland training – thanks to Scottish Rugby
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