Scottish Rugby Fever - An Interview with Chloé Rollie

Name: Chloé Rollie

Age: 22

From: Jedburgh, Scottish Borders

Position: 15

Team: Scotland Women & Lille Metropole Rugby Club Villeneuvois

You grew up in the Scottish Borders, an area with a rich rugby history, is this what inspired you to start playing? I think the culture of how big rugby is in the Scottish Borders did have an influence on me starting rugby but it mainly came from my older brother playing, also with having three older brothers I was introduced to the rough and tumble side of life and I think this drawn me to a contact sport.

Women’s Rugby is really starting to pick up in Scotland, did you find there were many opportunities to train and play at a young age? When I was younger there wasn’t much opportunity except for mini rugby in Jedburgh and u15and u18 in Galashiels. Although there wasn’t much support when I was younger, now there is development and academylevels that the younger girls are supplied with giving them more games/tournaments and training to developthem as players. This is bound to have a good outcome for the Scotland women's squad.

You are only the second Scottish ladies player to earn a full-time contract. How has the move to a professional player been? The move to professionalhas been a huge change and it is a positive change for me. There is training every day and also a lot of work to do with monitoring myself as a player and creating goals for myself. It has been very challenging at times and especially with being in France there has been difficult times and situations, but I feel overall these have developed me as a whole person inside of rugby and outside

You are currently playing for Lille Metropole Rugby Club Villeneuvois in France. Are there any Scottish traditions you have taken with you to France? I think the traditions I have brought with me are in the changing room before a match I am so chilled, I sit and listen to music just like I would in Scotland, also I have shared some of the traditional Scottish meals with the club players and never forget the shortbread!

Do you have a family or a favourite tartan? I don’t have a family tartan but my favourite tartan is Celtic. I am a huge fan of Celtic Football Club so maybe that is why I like that tartan. (Unfortunately the Celtic Tartan has now been discontinued, but don't worry there are over 500 tartansto choose from!)

What’s your favourite match to have played in? This would have to be Wales - 6 nations 2017, it was my first win with Scotland women and the first win the Scottish women's squad had in a long time. It was so rewarding to see the reaction of the girls after all the hard work that had been put in over the previous few years.

Who is your all time rugby hero? My all time rugby hero is Chris Paterson. I admire his kicking ability and also with being a fullback also I was able to take tips from him.

Our favourite Scotland top has to be 2015’s with the tartan sides, collar and sleeve. What’s your favourite Scotland top? This is also my favourite strip! The tartan finish makes the strip look amazing and it just adds the Scottish touch.

How have the 6 Nations Preparations been going? Is 2018 going to be our year in both the men’s and women’s tournaments? Our prep this year has been going well, there has been a lot of training camps leading up and a few friendly fixtures. Unfortunately the one against Spainjust before the 6 nations was cancelled due to weather conditions but this hasn’t affected us as a team and we are as determined as ever to do well this campaign. I think again this year the progression from both men’s and women’s teams will be huge and we’ll see that on the pitch.