232 and counting

Scotland Women end a 12 year wait when they fly out today to compete in the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

But another initiative – in the making long before their last appearance in the global showpiece of the game in England in 2010 – has also been completed

Taking pride of place in the BT Murrayfield tunnel – alongside the all-time list of male players capped for Scotland over the last 151 years – is the Scotland Women roll of honour.

It lists all 232 players thus far to have represented Scotland Women since their very first international – against Ireland at Raeburn Place in Edinburgh on Valentine’s Day 1993.

In the pioneering days of women’s rugby in Scotland, it’s no surprise that players, coaches, managements and volunteers had so many tasks off the field as well as on it, that a chronological cap list was not a priority.

As part of Scottish Rugby’s commitment to celebrating those pioneers and the heritage of the women’s game, we have worked alongside rugby statistician Stuart Farmer, past players and coaches and delved into newspaper archives at the National Library of Scotland, to produce the roll of honour.

Scotland Women 1998 Grand Slam winning captain and Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame inductee Kim Littlejohn said: “We’re very grateful to Scottish Rugby for all the research that has gone into creating the roll of honour.

“We have a Facebook group and keep in touch with past players but this initiative and Scottish Rugby’s desire to really engage with past players has given great momentum.

“A number of us have met with the current squad and shared some of our own experiences, including at World Cups.

“We’ve been made so welcome and we’re right behind the team as they head to New Zealand.”

Current captain Rachel Malcolm said: “The roll of honour is incredibly special for us as players – past, present and future.

“To have your own little bit of history within the Scotland Women story is so important as it allows us to continue the legacy left by those who have worn the shirt before us.

“Seeing the roll of honour, in the tunnel at BT Murrayfield, alongside the men’s, for the first time felt like a truly historic moment for the women’s game.”

The full list of Scotland Women players can be viewed below.