Getting to know Sarah Bonar

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Sarah Bonar (L) and Emma Wassell (R) during a Scotland Women's team run at Hive Stadium, on September 13, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

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Describe the Guinness Six Nations in three words.

Exciting, relentless and top tier.

Which Six Nations team do you look forward to playing against the most, and why?

Italy because they play very ‘jouer’ rugby and it’s always a good match. And we’re playing them at home this year, and there’s nothing like being there so grab your tickets!

What’s your favourite Six Nations memory?

From a playing point of view, drawing against France in 2020 was incredible. The match was delayed due to the start of the pandemic, we played it in Glasgow. It was just an unreal match! I remember Wass (Emma Wassell) and I had such a good partnership going that day and it was just fun.

From a fan point of view when Scotland Men beat England in 2021, it was really low scoring (6-11) but class that they went to Twickenham and won.

Do you have any pre-match rituals?

No not really, but I guess I am particular about how my hair is done. I have it tied up and then the hair within the ponytail put into braids. Emma Wassell is the only person who’s allowed to put power-braids into my hair. She instils that lock-energy into my hair and all my superpowers. The number of braids totally varies between games, but we like to get in as many as possible. The more braids, the more power!

Sarah Bonar powering across the try line against Spain at HIve Stadium in 2023 – with her power-braids in full flow!

If you could have a skill from another player, what would it be and why?

This is a tough one! It’s between Rhona Lloyd’s gas or Lisa Thomson’s boot. I think I’ll maybe go with Thommo’s boot because I’d love to get a 50:22, and with her skills I’d get that all day!

You’re about to head into the semi-final of the PWR with Harlequins, taking on Saracens this Saturday (1 March), how excited are you about that?

From where we finished in the league last season to making top four is really exciting and testament to the hard work the full team on and off the pitch has put in. Anything can happen in play-offs and we are ready to go and throw everything at it!

Something people might not know about you is that you’re a Flying Officer in the RAF. What can you tell us about your motivations to join the military?

I’ve always a bit of a military itch I suppose and it got to a point where I thought ‘let’s just go for it’. Covid had hit and I thought ‘now’s the perfect time’. I really wanted a career that was exciting and could give me that thrill because I know that rugby isn’t going to last forever and I thought it would be the kind of career that would give me the similar buzz for when I don’t have rugby anymore.

I think also a career with a sense of belonging was going to be important to me. That’s something that’s been so central in my rugby life, so knowing I’d have another family in blue to be there for me was important.

Scotland International and (RAF) Flying Officer Sarah Bonar during the Scottish Rugby Remembrance service at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, on 11 November 2024.

Being an RAF Police Officer is such a diverse role, I could go into counter-terrorism or cyber, security – there are so many avenues to explore and opportunities I can get stuck into which excites me.

I am currently on an elite athlete scheme with the RAF which allows me to train and play rugby full-time, so I don’t have any primary duties right now. The RAF are fully supportive of me to allow me to be the best I can be, and represent club, country and the Air Force. I still have touch point days where I can do some shadowing work or just be around the base, and I know that when the time comes that I hang-up my boots, I’ll rejoin with a full-time role.

What’s one thing on your bucket list that you haven’t yet done?

I’d love to go to Japan. Ever since we played against them, I just think their culture and their people are so amazing, and I love the food. I have some friends there so hopefully I can visit them sometime.

What’s your favourite holiday destination and why?

It would have to be somewhere with a beach, where I can do activities. I haven’t been on a proper holiday in ages as I use most of my time off to visit family. But I’ll say Australia – it’s got sunshine, beach, I can see my brother, sister-in-law and nephew who all live out there, so I think that hits all the perfect things for a holiday. It’s been a while since I’ve been on a surf board but that would be my beach activity.

What was the last tv show you binge watched?

The Night Agent. I really enjoyed the second season, I’d heard some mixed reviews but I really liked it. I’ve been recommended The Recruit, so I’ll maybe try that next.

Finally, what is your favourite thing about being part of Scotland Women?

The girls. It’s family. To do what I do alongside them, it’s just the best!

Click here to learn more about Sarah’s career so far.