A number of female rugby players with Scottish connections are now world record holders.
And so are a number of male rugby players with Scottish connections after they all got involved in the Guinness world record attempts for the longest games of both women’s and men’s rugby.
The ‘Longest Game 2025’ challenge took place at Mullingar RFC’s ground from 8am on Wednesday morning until some point later on Thursday and the previous women’s record of 24 hours, 5 minutes and 15 seconds was surpassed with a new benchmark of 26 hours and 33 minutes.
The previous men’s record which stood at 30 hours 29 minutes and 41 seconds, was surpassed on Thursday afternoon with the game continuing until shortly after 8pm and lasting 36 hours.
Both records and times are subject to official verification.
The Lions Trust charity partners Looseheadz and Wooden Spoon teamed up for the challenge to try and raise over £100,000 through the power of rugby to tackle mental health and support children and young people who are disabled, disadvantaged or vulnerable. Donations have already surpassed £110,000.
The women with Scottish links involved included former Scotland caps Ali Mackenzie-Cooper and Hazel Malakoty along with Lee Murru.
Yvonne Tunnicliff, Emma Riach, Nicola Caldwell and Paige Anastacia were also involved.
Club players were supported by on field participation from England Red Roses including Tamara Taylor – who is now a Scotland under-20 assistant coach – and encouraged from the touchline by British and Irish men’s legends including ex-Ireland winger Tommy Bowe, ex-Scotland full-back Gavin Hastings, ex-Wales wing Ieuan Evans and British and Irish Lions CEO Ben Calveley.
In terms of LooseHeadz, the event forms part of their ongoing mission to save lives by placing a mental health lead at every rugby club around the world, aimed at not just setting a new benchmark in rugby history, but driving a larger conversation around mental health.
LooseHeadz will launch their mental health awareness campaign initiative ‘Hugby’ at Friday eveningt’s international fixture between the Lions and Argentina at the Aviva Stadium. Hugby will encourage players, fans and all inside the Aviva Stadium to hug one another immediately after Argentina’s national anthem, providing a watershed moment for tackling the stigma of mental health in rugby.
Players who took part in the women’s and men’s record-breaking matches will also parade the pitch at half-time of the game in Dublin.
Rob Shotton, co-founder of LooseHeadz, said: “We’re buzzing to have broken two Guinness World Records for the longest games of rugby and it’s all thanks to the grit, determination and togetherness of all the players, the volunteers, the organisers, the physios and those at Mullingar RFC.
“What began with a group of strangers quickly became something much bigger. We leave not just as team mates, but as mates for life. That’s the power of rugby.
“As rugby’s mental health charity, we hope setting this record helps shine a light on the important message of tackling the stigma around mental health in our sport.
“And we’re not stopping here. The conversation continues with our ‘Hugby’ campaign.”
Gavin Hastings said: “Congratulations to everyone on a phenomenal achievement.
“I have huge respect and admiration for all the women and men who took part in this world record-breaking feat.”
Tickets for Scotland-England at Murrayfield in April 2026 can be purchased here.
The women’s and men’s squads who broke the world records are pictured
GH Media has covered Scotland women’s journey to this point and will be covering Scotland women’s journey right through to the end of the Women’s 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