Emma Wassell

Emma Clare Wassell was born on December 28 1994, in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Emma began her rugby journey at the age of 15, playing for her school team.Prior to this, she was a keen gymnast but chose to try rugby for a chance to play a team sport. Emma credits her late-father as a huge inspiration for her decision to pursue the sport, following his footsteps as a player for his local club.

She progressed through the Scotland Women U18s pathway, showcasing her talent and dedication to the sport. During this period, she was a member of the Scotland Women U19 Sevens squad in 2013 and also played in the Scotland U20 side that secured a victory over Finland earlier that year.

Demonstrating a strong academic inclination, Emma pursued a degree in accountancy and finance at Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt University, balancing her studies with her burgeoning rugby career.

In the 2014 Six Nations tournament, Emma Wassell made her debut for Scotland from the bench against Ireland in a disheartening 59-0 loss. As fate would have it, the Aberdeen-born forward would go on to earn her 50^th against the same side some seven years on, playing in the most crucial game of her career to date – Scotland’s European Rugby World Cup Qualifier – whilst becoming the first player in Scottish rugby history to earn 50 consecutive caps for her country.

Wassell played a key role in the decisive 59-3 victory against Columbia in February 2022, booking Scotland’s place in the Women’s Rugby World Cup for the first time since 2010. She went on to play in 54 consecutive matches, a record-breaking streak that was unfortunately halted by a wrist injury.

She went on to feature at the Rugby World Cup 2021 (played in 2022) and was part of the history-making side, lifting the WXV2 title in 2023, Scotland’s first silverware and major title in over 20 years.

In 2024, ahead of preparations for the WXV2 competition, Emma Wassell announced an extended spell on the sidelines after being diagnosed with a tumour in her chest. After a successful surgery, Emma is now rehabilitating and working towards her return to rugby.

Outwith international rugby, Emma has played for club sides Corstorphine Cougars and in 2021 she signed for PWR side, Loughborough Lightning, making her debut against Sale Sharks. She extended her contract for the club in 2024.