Rachel McLachlan: Half a Century, Fully Fierce

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - MARCH 22: Scotland's Rachel McLachlan at full time during a Guinness Women's Six Nations match between Scotland and Wales at The Hive Stadium, on March 22, 2025, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ewan Bootman / SNS Group)

Still only 26 years old, McLachlan’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable, transforming from a Scottish judo champion into a mainstay in the national team in just a matter of years.

Born and raised in Edinburgh, McLachlan’s sporting journey began far from the try line. A talented judoka, she earned titles as both a Scottish Judo Champion and a Sainsbury’s School Games Champion, representing Scotland in various competitions.

But when she moved to Glasgow to study physiotherapy at Glasgow Caledonian University in 2017, her path shifted course – almost by chance.

“I was starting to lose my love for judo a wee bit,” McLachlan explained.

“It was a struggle when I lived an hour away and had classes, and whatever it is I’m doing, I always want to give it 100 percent and at the time I just couldn’t, it was a lot to juggle. A few of my uni mates loved rugby and convinced me to go with them to a taster session with the uni team. When I found rugby it reignited my love for sport.”

After joining the university’s rugby team, Rachel also started to play for West of Scotland RFC. Her transition to rugby was seamless. With her natural athleticism and competitive edge honed on the judo mat, she quickly stood out on the pitch.

“I remember going to my first session and we did contact. I was just flying into tackle bags, and it was just so cool and fun,” she laughed. “I think openside was always going to be my position. I remember our coach saying, ‘Yeah, that girl is definitely a seven,’ and I guess that was just that! But I love the game, I love playing.”

Within months of her rugby journey starting, McLachlan was picked up by Scottish Rugby and enrolled in the Performance Development Programme, and just a year after picking up a ball, she made her Scotland Sevens debut in the summer of 2018, followed swiftly by her XVs debut against Italy that November.

Rachel in action against Wales in her first year of rugby for Scotland.

Reflecting on that first cap, she said: “I’d finished up my time with the Sevens team over the summer and then was brought into camp for XVs for Autumn tests. Having those tests was a bit different for the team at the time. I was on for about 20 minutes and I think I just ran around like a headless chicken but I absolutely loved it!

“I then started against Canada for my second cap. I remember when I got the email, I obviously scrolled straight down to the subs list, and was like ‘I wonder if I’ll be number 20 or 21’ and I wasn’t either of them, and then I scrolled up and saw my name against the number seven. It was wild, I was screaming! That’s a really vivid memory.”

Since then, McLachlan has become a core member of the squad, featuring in many Six Nations tournaments, the 2021 Rugby World Cup, WXV2, and the Commonwealth Games with Team Scotland Sevens.

Known for her fearless tackling and tireless work rate, everyone who has seen her play know that Rachel embodies the passionate spirit of the Scottish side, and she certainly has many memories to go alongside it.

“In the early days we obviously were on the end of a lot of tough losses so when we won it was big,” said Rachel.

“Nearly drawing against Canada on my second cap, that felt huge. The whole of our Rugby World Cup 2021 qualifying journey was incredible – our win against Spain was massive, obviously our game against Ireland was insane as well.

“But I think it’s been these last two years and where we are at now, that’s where I have so many happy memories. Winning WXV2 in South Africa in 2023, that was so crazy. All being together, lifting that trophy and enjoying that moment together, that has to be one of the best moments.”

Now a seasoned international, McLachlan has not only grown as a player but helped shape a Scotland squad that has evolved dramatically in recent years.

“The team has developed massively, it’s a completely different group with the depth we have,” she said.

“It’s always been our ethos to be hard workers and do everything for our country and leave the shirt in a better place. Now we have contracts, this is now my full-time job and that’s massive.”

Rachel McLachlan in action during the 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations match between Scotland and Wales at Hive Stadium.

Even as she reaches 50 caps, the sense of pride is as fresh as ever.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity and to have reached this milestone but it does feel surreal. That’s never lost on me, no matter how long I’m here. Playing for Scotland is immense.”

McLachlan credits much of her development to the environment around her and the experienced players she’s played alongside, saying: “I was 19 on my first cap and now I’m 26, that’s a long time to learn. When you’re surrounded by players like Jade Konkel, Evie Gallagher, Rachel Malcolm, you can’t help but grow. Spending time with them, learning from and with them, that’s definitely helped me.”

This weekend, Rachel adds another chapter to her incredible story – a 50th cap, with many more surely still to come.