When Louise McMillan earned her 50th Scotland women’s cap in 2024 her family hailed her as “doggedly determined” and few national team supporters who watched her career in dark blue would disagree with that, she gave 100 percent every time she was on the pitch.
Now 29, the Birkmyre and Hillhead Jordanhill product, has decided to hang up her international rugby boots having earned 61 caps since 2016 in the back-row and, latterly, in the second row. She will continue to play club rugby for Saracens down south.
She made her debut in November 2016 against Spain in a Rugby World Cup qualifier at Scotstoun and her final appearance for Scotland came against Ireland away in May during the Women’s Six Nations. She was a part of the WXV 2 winning squad in South Africa in 2023, went to the World Cup the year before in New Zealand and was also lucky enough to represent her country alongside her sister Siobhan.
“After 10 years involved in the Scotland set up I have decided to step away from international rugby,” McMillan, a trained lawyer, said.
“I have given this shirt everything I have over the last decade. Juggling a full-time job alongside elite rugby was a massive challenge, but coming back into the programme for the Six Nations earlier this year was so rewarding.
“I am so glad I got the opportunity to prove myself to my coaches, team mates and supporters and to finish this journey on my own terms [after missing out on selection for the World Cup in 2025 in England].
“Now feels like the absolute right time to step into the next chapter.
“A huge thank you to my family, friends, team mates and all the supporters who have backed me throughout my career, especially over this past year. Your support has given me so much strength at times when I doubted myself.
“I’ve seen first-hand how far this programme has come and I’m so excited to see what the team achieves with continued backing. These girls deserve all the love and support in the world.”
McMillan began playing rugby in the Minis at Birkmyre before going on play with Hillhead Jordanhill, joining them in 2015.
With the Glasgow-based club, she captained the team to victories in the Sarah Beaney Cup in 2017 and 2018 and led them to the women’s top flight title in 2018.
She also represented Glasgow Warriors in the Celtic Challenge. McMillan joined Saracens at the start of the 2022/23 season.
In addition to her XV-a-side career, she was also part of the Scotland Sevens squad that won the Rugby Europe Trophy in 2018, securing promotion to the Grand Prix competition.
“Scottish Rugby would like to thank Louise for her dedication, commitment and service to the national team and wishes her all the best for the next stage of her career,” a statement from the governing body read.
Without McMillan, the upcoming home Vodafone Scotland WXV Series campaign – part of the wider WXV Global Series presented by Mitsubishi Electric featuring the top sides in the world – begins for Scotland against the 2025 Rugby World Cup runners-up Canada on September 12 at Hive Stadium before welcoming New Zealand to these shores the following weekend on September 19 and then hosting Australia on September 26.
Scotland’s away WXV Global Series fixtures will take place against Australia on October 17 and October 23.
Louise McMillan is pictured receiving her 50th cap and with her sister Siobhan – thanks to Scottish Rugby and the McMillan family
It is shaping up to be an exciting 2026/27 season for women’s rugby in Scotland and GH Media will be covering it in detail – if any companies are keen to support this content please send an email to gary@gh-media.co.uk