Fiona McIntosh on first Scotland call up

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Fiona McIntosh during a Scotland Women's rugby training session at the Hive Stadium, on September 29, 2023, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)

Explaining her journey to her first Scotland call up, the lock said: “I started playing rugby when I was young as my dad coached and my brother played and I wanted to do everything that my brother did! 

“I started playing rugby, going along on Sundays, and I had a little break in the middle because I was going to be a rower, but I realised it was a bit lonely and I wanted some teammates again, so I came back to rugby.  

“I went to Hartpury College to do rugby, and then had my first senior team at Richmond. When they got relegated, I moved across to Saracens to play for them.” 

One of several players in the current squad who have left an individual sport behind to play rugby, Fi explains the lure of having teammates to revel in the good and work through the bad which brought her back to the sport. 

“I just love it. Whether you’re having a bad day or a great day you’ve got people to share it with. You’ve got people to bring you up or people to celebrate with and it’s so much nicer. Especially when you’re doing tough sessions like fitness, it’s just great to be around other people to lift everyone up.” 

Upon her recent completion of a Masters degree in Global Health at King’s College London, McIntosh has joined up with Bryan Easson’s Scotland side for the first time ahead of the first ever WXV competition, with Scotland competing in WXV2 in South Africa throughout October.  

“I’m really excited, I think it’s a great opportunity. I’m excited to grow myself as a rugby player and improve and get better, and I’m really enjoying the environment.  

“I got a phone call from Bryan saying they wanted me in. I had to finish all my studies and my masters course because I couldn’t get time off from that, and the WXV training camp has come round at the perfect time because I finished my masters about four weeks ago so I came into camp and I’ve loved it ever since.  

“The experience has been good so far and it was challenging in pre-season. We had a few grueling sessions, but we’ve got through it together as a team which is a real positive heading into WXV.” 

Scotland start their campaign against hosts South Africa before facing USA and Japan, and McIntosh says that the ambition of the squad is to make a bold statement of intent on the global stage. 

“We’re definitely going in with the aim to put in some solid performances, but for me personally it’s my first opportunity to be playing for Scotland on the international stage and it’s really exciting, and a little bit nerve-wracking. We just want to go out, play some great rugby and put on a performance that shows who we are and what we can do.”

Scotland get underway with their WXV 2 campaign this week, as they take on hosts, South Africa, at Danie Craven Stadium on Friday 13 October (kick-off 3.30pm UK time), with supporters being able to watch all the action on RugbyPass TV. For an explainer on World Rugby’s new competition, including details on all of Scotland’s fixtures and opponents, click HERE.