Sarah Bonar

RWC: Bonar once skipped U2 concert because of her love of sport – now she’s after a ‘Beautiful Day’ in Whangarei

Posted on by GH-Media

By Gary Heatly

Sarah Bonar has had a love of sport for as long as she can remember.

Indeed, when she was in P7 at Milltimber Primary School in Aberdeen she decided to stay in the Granite City to compete in the sports day rather than head southwards with her parents to watch Bono and co wow the crowds.

“When I was in P7, Mum and Dad got tickets to go and see U2 in concert in Manchester,” the now 28-year-old said.

“I was probably too young to really know who they were, but anyway it clashed with the last sports day at that school for me.

“So, I chose to stay behind an do my last sports day because I loved the competition and that aspect of sport so much.

“The egg and spoon race and sack race were more important!

“Seriously though, I think growing up I just really loved sport and wanted to represent my country at the highest level.

“And Mum and Dad have supported me all the way and are flying out [to watch the World Cup] and my brother lives in Australia so he’s also coming over with his baby who I haven’t met yet, so that will be cool.

“There is a family type WhatsApp group going amongst the players parents and I have no clue what they have planned, but it’ll be great to have their support at our matches.”

https://twitter.com/Scotlandteam/status/1578354457984864257

Bonar, who has previously been a rower and took up rugby in England around 2014, is set to win her 32nd cap for her country in the Pool A opener with Wales on Sunday at Northland Events Centre in Whangarei.

Scotland are 10th in the world rankings and Wales are ninth while the last few matches between the countries have been close, so expect another tight one here.

“I think the time that we have had together recently has really helped the squad grow,” Bonar, who is now in the RAF, but currently has elite athlete status to focus on her rugby, said.

“Going into the games [in the World Cup] we have that cohesion that we just couldn’t quite connect in the Six Nations and I think we are so hungry for it!

“We have a lot of wrongs we want to right going into the first game against Wales and I think it’s a really good opportunity for us to step up and play and perform on the world stage.”

In terms of the 23 player squad named for the match, head coach Bryan Easson has named a very experienced starting XV with 557 caps in there.

The bench will be important and replacement props Leah Bartlett and Elliann Clarke could have a big role to play in the second half.

Of the 32-strong touring party only Emma Orr and Rachel McLachlan were not considered for this one due to injury niggles.

Scotland squad to play Wales: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Hannah Smith, Lisa Thomson, Megan Gaffney; Helen Nelson, Caity Mattinson; Molly Wright, Lana Skeldon, Christine Belisle, Emma Wassell, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (C), Louise McMillan, Jade Konkel. Subs: Jodie Rettie, Leah Bartlett, Elliann Clarke, Lyndsay O’Donnell, Eilidh Sinclair, Mairi McDonald, Meryl Smith, Shona Campbell.

The Rugby World Cup runs from October 8 to November 12 and is on ITV