Jade Konkel’s fellow forwards have led the tributes to her after the 74-capper from the Black Isle retired from Scotland women’s rugby action.
The 31-year-old back-rower, who is also a firefighter, will continue to play for Harlequins in England going forward, but her final game for the national team was in the World Cup last eight loss to the Red Roses on Sunday in Bristol after she was not offered a contract by the governing body going forward.
Second-row Emma Wassell said: “In my whole time in Scotland, I think the only two people left that I kind of started with are Jade and Lana Skeldon.
“To see Jade retiring, it’s tough, it feels very much like the end of an era.
“It’s sad, it’s really sad actually.
“We were young when we started and we had lots of seniors around us. I’ve grown up with Jade and she has helped me so much.
“Look, if you know Jade off the pitch, there’s absolutely nothing to be scared of as she’s so lovely, it’s as soon as you start playing against her that you realise how hard she tackle and what a fierce competitor she is.
“And for many years whenever anyone said Scotland women, the first person that came to people’s minds was Jade Konkel, she was a trailblazer.
“She has been a standout performer for Scotland consistently for years, ever since she got her first cap in 2013. She led the way in many respects.
“She has honestly put everything on the line to play for Scotland for years and years and people know her for that reason, she is a special player and a special person.
“It would have been nice to have seen Jade in a Scotland shirt for a few more years, but she has had an amazing career with us.”
Fellow back-rower Evie Gallager said about Konkel: “I don’t think I have the words to actually describe Jade as a person, she’s just an incredible human, one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet.
“And, as a player, I think just every single thing that she’s done for the game in Scotland, no one is ever going to top that.
“The things that she’s done to help me grow as a player, especially when I moved to No.8, have been amazing. We have competed for a shirt, but she has always been my biggest supporter and has helped me so much.
“I’m so lucky to have played alongside her in a Scotland shirt for the last few years.
“I always remember getting tackled and actually more tackling Jade when I first came into the international set up.
“She’s just so strong and physical and she’s a lot taller than me. I think I kind of avoided her at all costs in those early days because I was too scared to talk to her, but as I said she’s just the kindest soul and she’s always been so welcoming with me once I got to know her.
“She’s such a big name and to be able to say that I’ve played a lot of my rugby alongside her is something I don’t take for granted or take lightly.”
And another back-rower Rachel McLachlan added: “Now that the dust has settled I just wanted to say a massive thank you to this hero.
“Jade, you have shown me and the team what playing for Scotland women means.
“You are proud, tenacious, humble, brilliant and kind.
“Thank you for being the perfect role model for me and so many others.
“You truly epitomise everything in terms of what it means to be a good team mate and human and you are a world class rugby player.
“It is a privilege to say that I played alongside a true legend of the game.”
Jade Konkel is pictured arriving for the England game – thanks to Ruby Adam Photography
From August 7 until September 30, GH Media will be following the Scotland World Cup journey all of the way. We will be at all of the Scotland matches down south and will be bringing you all of the interviews and news from camp as well as taking a wider look at the tournament as a whole and its impact on the women’s game. Thanks to Quirky Chocolate and other supporters for allowing this content to happen and to readers for engaging with it.