Belisle to retire from international rugby

A former figure skater from Peterborough, Ontario, Belisle first picked up rugby at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School under the guidance of coach Craig Harris. Her motivation to join came through her school friends and the opportunity to travel to Ireland to play rugby the sport.

She went on to represent her school team with distinction before taking time out to travel across Europe, eventually landing in Glasgow in 2015 – a trip that would prove life-changing.

Initially visiting Scotland to attend a wedding, Belisle soon made the city of Glasgow her home and reignited her rugby journey with local club Cartha Queens Park.

Her performances did not go unnoticed by those in the women’s pathway, and in after qualifying to represent Scotland through the Scottish Qualification Programme in 2018, she earned her first cap the following year, playing against South Africa.

Originally selected in the second-row and back-row, Belisle made the transition to tighthead prop in 2020, where she would go on to make her greatest impact in the Scotland jersey. In her first international scrum at tighthead, she won a penalty against France, immediately proving she belonged in one of the most demanding positions on the pitch.

Christine Belisle, Mairi McDonald and Louise McMillan of Scotland pose for a photo with the WXV 2 trophy following the WXV 2 2023 match between United States and Italy at Athlone Sports Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo: World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Christine went on to feature in multiple Women’s Six Nations campaigns and played a key role in Scotland’s title-winning WXV 2 campaign in 2023. She also started in the decisive Rugby World Cup qualification match against Colombia, helping the side to a 59-3 win which secured their place on the world stage for the first time in 12 years.

Following the team’s qualification, Christine was selected for the Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand, and featured across all three Pool matches – facing Wales, New Zealand and Australia.

In 2021, she moved to England to join Loughborough Lightning in the Premier 15s (now Premiership Women’s Rugby), where she will continue to play her club rugby.

Christine scored one try for Scotland, powering over from close range in Scotland 27-20 victory over Wales in the 2021 Six Nations at Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow. Her final cap was earned in the Rugby World Cup 2025 quarter-final against the tournament winners, England.

Beyond rugby, Christine has continued to champion strength and empowerment in all its forms. She is the founder of Strong Friends Club, a business built around prioritising strength over physique and celebrating every body for what it can do – not just how it looks. As a personal trainer, she lives her values daily, promoting wellness, confidence, and community both online and in-person.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Scotland’s Christine Belisle with fans at full time during an Autumn Test match between Scotland Women and Fiji at Hive Stadium, on September 14, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ewan Bootman / SNS Group)

Reflecting on her career, Belisle said: “Playing for Scotland has truly been the honour of my lifetime. Though the curtain has closed on my international career, I carry all of it with me: the pride, the pain, the joy, the love.

“To the fans, you guys are the best. Thanks for showing up and showing out. You have made the last six years some of the coolest of my life.

“I look forward to moving into this new chapter with trust in the universe if what’s to come and a firm belief in ‘what’s for you will not pass you’.”

Scottish Rugby would like to thank Christine for her dedication, commitment and service to the national team and wishes her the very best in the next chapter of her journey.