Scotland Demands Respect After World Cup: Players Demand Urgent Changes

End of Cycle in Scottish Women’s Rugby: Jade Konkel and the Uncertain Future

A six-minute conversation was enough to end Jade Konkel’s 13-year career with Scotland. A bleak outlook looms over Scottish women’s rugby, with World Cup elimination and contractual uncertainty as a backdrop. Of the 32 players called up for the World Cup, only 15 had contracts before the tournament began. Konkel was not among them. In a meeting with senior figures from the Scottish Rugby Union, Konkel was informed that the decision not to offer her another contract was based on her performance. “That was interesting, as I was the player of the season at Harlequins,” she commented with a melancholic smile. Other reasons mentioned were the depth of the team and individual circumstances.

That’s what I don’t think is right.

Jade Konkel

Konkel, a firefighter by profession, was the first professional player hired by Scotland in 2016. Her final chapter closed at Ashton Gate. After playing 47 minutes in a match that Scotland was losing 33-0, Konkel knew it was her last match with the Scottish jersey. She announced her retirement from international rugby after the World Cup, taking control of her farewell and avoiding being forgotten like many other players.

The Women’s Rugby World Cup in Scotland ended on Sunday with a resounding defeat. For some of their players, this marks the end of their international careers. Konkel offered a typical performance, prioritizing the collective good. Tears welled up when she was substituted, but those moments of reflection were brief, soon suppressed by the cause and the legacy. In her final interviews as a Scottish player, she sent a message to the authorities.

It’s been a difficult couple of months with all the bombs that have fallen on us just before a World Cup, which isn’t the best preparation. There have been many conversations, background noise, and the fact that we reached the quarter-finals is, I’m not going to lie, without the help of the SRU.

Jade Konkel

Contractual disputes in Scotland were a problem in their World Cup campaign. Although captain Rachel Malcolm tried to put the issue aside to focus on the game, it was a constant burden. Players had job interviews during the tournament, planning for the uncertain post-World Cup future. The origin of all this goes back to before the Six Nations. “I think the original proposal was to solve all this before the championship, but it was postponed,” said a source. “I just don’t think it was a priority for the Union.” Ultimatum were made, but an agreement was finally reached to extend the contracts until the end of the World Cup. In 2022, 28 contracts were awarded. The exact number available this time is uncertain. The players wanted the whole team to be contracted, but only 15 were before the World Cup. Legends like Konkel were left in a professional limbo, and the support staff were also affected.

It was a complete disaster.

A source

Jade Konkel (left) has retired from international rugby after being in contractual limbo. The long-term hope is that players from the national team will play in Scottish clubs. But the exact format is not yet defined. “There are players who live in England and are told they must move if they want a contract, but they have part-time jobs and mortgages… I just don’t think this has been taken into account when planning it,” said a source. Bryan Easson, coach of the women’s team since 2020, announced that he would leave the position after the World Cup. After the defeat against England, he was asked if he had come to terms with his departure. His tearful eyes revealed a different story. During his tenure, he led the team to its best historical position, fifth. “All I will do in the next two or three weeks before finishing is to keep fighting and make sure they get what they need,” he said. That announcement added to the growing instability in Scotland’s preparation, where contract discussions dragged on without resolution. In June, it was reported that only 15 of the 38 players at the training camp had received contract offers, and the players were suffering “with their mental and emotional health following the possible loss of their contracts”.

In mid-July, Malcolm stated: “It hasn’t been an ideal preparation at all. It’s been very damaging. My principle as a captain is to make my players feel like superwomen, to feel valued and that they belong, and the processes that have been carried out behind the scenes have done almost the opposite of those three things.”

In the team’s announcement, winger Rhona Lloyd, who is under contract, said: “There are many players on the team going to this World Cup, more than half the team, who will not have contracts. That puts a lot of pressure on a player to perform, without knowing if they have a job in the coming months.”

Scotland reached the quarter-finals of the Women’s Rugby World Cup for the first time since 2002. In the field, Scotland had a crucial match against Wales, which they won 38-8. Then they beat Fiji 29-15 and fought bravely against Canada before losing 40-19. Against England, a team they had lost to 27 consecutive times, they were the underdogs. The match went according to the script, with England winning 40-8, scoring six tries against one. Easson spoke about how the team believed they could cause an upset, but their static play was unstable and their foundations crumbled. It was a match that marked the end of an era, with some players playing their last match for Scotland, but also the hope of laying the foundations for future generations to thrive. In his farewell press conference, Easson mentioned the importance of investing in pathways. “We must continue to invest because there is a real talent pool in Scotland and we have to make sure it continues to grow and drive it.” The recurring theme was how the players and staff see this as a “crucial” point for the game. Malcolm emphasized this, having captained Scotland for the 53rd time, the most for any man or woman in the history of Scottish rugby. She spoke with quiet authority, but also with frustration, asking the governing body to “listen” to the players. “There is a risk of losing players and potentially having lost players that we don’t want at all,” she said. “We want to keep the players in the game.” A few minutes later, the players spoke to the press. Konkel’s tears were seen, Lloyd’s emotions upon scoring her consolation try, and it was clear that it was the end of a chapter. The players wanted their voices to be heard and to send a message.

Just support us and support women’s rugby. That’s all we ask. We want to be the best in the world, we want to win these tough matches, and for that we need support.

Rachel McLachlan

Evie Gallagher said the players want the SRU to “respect them as a group.” And that leaves us with Konkel. Malcolm said: “She embodies what it means to play for Scotland and play with a thistle on your chest. I think words will never do her justice.” For Konkel, his final message with the Scotland shirt was to seek change.

Respect us. Know that this is a program in which we pour our lives.

Jade Konkel