Kennedy leaves new Scotland captain with legacy

NEW Scotland women's rugby captain Jilly McCord, of Royal High/Corstorphine, admits she has a hard act to follow going into her first international in charge at home to Canada next month.

McCord, 29, has been appointed successor to 100-cap stalwart Donna Kennedy and says: "I have a big pair of boots to fill given Donna's record over the years.

"Overall, since coming into the squad four years ago I've been fortunate to experience the leadership of not only Donna but Karen Findlay, a great motivator, and the really talented Paula Chalmers whom I once told, a wee bit tongue in cheek, that I'd succeed once day as captain.

"Despite not really meaning the remark to be taken too seriously I was nicknamed 'fSc', meaning future Scotland captain, and when the moment arrives on Sunday week at Hughenden, Glasgow, I'll be drawing on all of my 27 previous matches.

"Donna had seen and done it all; Paula brought such tremendous passion to the role and Karen could really inspire."

According to history teacher Jilly, who lives in Linlithgow and is on the staff at Dollar Academy, women's rugby is on a high.

Playing numbers have seen a 50 per cent increase to 673 registered participants while for the world's sixth ranking country, Scotland, a match against fourth-ranked Canada offers an ideal pathway into the Six Nations series when France (Sunday February 3) and England (Saturday March 8) are encountered at Meggetland.