Poolman proud after “whirlwind” start to her international rugby journey with Scotland
Molly Poolman is hoping a third international cap comes her way against the Red Roses
©Scottish Rugby
Molly Poolman has been reflecting on a “whirlwind” spell during which she has become Scotland Women’s cap 243 aged just 20.
The Howe of Fife product has impressed for Watsonians and Edinburgh Rugby in the past two seasons, and that earned the tighthead prop, already an Under-20 cap, a call-up to the full squad before the ongoing Guinness Women’s Six Nations got started.
She was not in the matchday 23 for the opening 24-21 win against Wales, but she was on the bench for the second game with France in La Rochelle.
And her debut came 17 minutes into that Round Two contest when Elliann Clarke had to have a head injury assessment.
Clarke returned 10 minutes later before Poolman joined the fray again in the 38-15 defeat at a sold-out Stade Marcel-Deflandre.
Given her debut was against one of the best teams in the world - as well as having some of her family there as they have often holidayed in La Rochelle - it was certainly a big day.
Then, last Sunday, she came off the bench again to replace Clarke in Edinburgh to earn cap number two against Italy.
And while the 25-17 defeat was not the result she or Scotland were after, it was another special day with family and friends with one of them even making a big sign with Poolman's face on to wave from the stands.
“It really has been a whirlwind earning my first two caps against France and Italy recently,” Poolman explained to TRU.
“A few weeks ago, I was suddenly in camp with a group of players who I have aspired to be like and have looked up to since I was young and it was quite surreal but amazing at the same time.
“So many of the experienced players have taken me under their wing on and off the pitch and I’m so grateful to them for that because it has made me feel comfortable and able to be myself around the group.
"It is so nice now that I can call them all close friends of mine and I cannot wait for the future with this group and hopefully earning more Scotland caps because I have a taste for it now.”
‘We are all a bit frustrated post-Italy - We will stick together as a group’
Before the Six Nations, Scotland’s coaches and players stated that the focus this year was three home wins to try and earn a third-place finish.
As a result, the Italy reverse came as a shock to many and now they have to quickly refocus ahead of an away game to Grand Slam chasing England on Saturday before they finish the championships against an ever-improving Ireland at the Hive on April 26.
Reflecting on the Italy defeat, Poolman added: “I think everyone is feeling pretty hurt after the Italy result.
“We really thought after the France game that we could sharpen up on the fine details and really go out there and put in a good performance, but for whatever reason it just didn’t quite happen for us.
“We are all a bit frustrated with ourselves, but we will stick together as a group this week and keep our heads up and prepare for the next challenge.
“This squad is very close-knit and that is why I know we have it in us to bounce back.”
As mentioned, next up for Scotland - and Poolman if selected - is the toughest test in world rugby when they travel south to Mattioli Woods Welford Road to face the seemingly unstoppable Red Roses.
England have won the last six Six Nations titles and are unbeaten in 2025, with Poolman adding: “It would mean a lot to get the chance to play in that game.
“Rugby is a sport where you always want to challenge yourself against the best and there is no doubt that England are the best right now.
“We will prepare hard for the game and hopefully I am involved at the weekend and, if so, I will give it my all.”
‘I got such a buzz and knew that rugby was a sport I wanted to keep going with’
Poolman’s rugby journey began at local club Howe of Fife when she joined the Minis when she was in primary seven (Year 6).
“At that stage, I was thrown in to play with the boys, but I wanted to show that I could compete with them,” Poolman, who had tried her hand at karate before that, recounted.
“I have two older brothers so playing rugby with the boys was quite natural. I always remember my first training session because I was the only girl and all of the boys thought ‘Let’s run at the new girl, she won’t know how to tackle’.
“There was a really big guy there, well over six foot tall even at that age, and he ran at me and I dump tackled him and the other attacker who had latched onto him.
“I think I gained a bit of respect from the boys after that and I got such a buzz and knew that rugby was a sport I wanted to keep going with.
“In senior school, I played for the Howe and Tayside and Fife and then, at 17, I got dispensation to play in the back-row for Howe Harlequins senior team which was good for me and it was lovely to play for the club at that level.”
Poolman then moved to Edinburgh for her university studies. She is now in her third year of a sport and exercise science degree at Heriot-Watt University - and joined Premiership outfit Watsonians and since then, things have gone from strength to strength.
And an appearance against England would only add to Poolman's whirlwind Six Nations adventure.
