Scotland winger Megan Gaffney has announced her immediate retirement from international rugby.
The 31-year-old came through the Scotland age group systems, playing at both U18 and U20 level, before going on to represent Scotland senior team on 45 occasions, and playing for the first-ever Scotland 7s team.
After making her debut against the Netherlands in 2011, Gaffney became a mainstay in the Scotland set-up, scoring a brace of tries in her final appearance for her county against Wales during the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup.
Prior to that she was an essential part of the Scotland 7s side that reached the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham – the first time they had achieved that accolade.
Gaffney said: “It is the right time. I feel like I want to put energy into other things in my life and I would never want to wear The Thistle if I felt I couldn’t give it my all.
“It’s a timing thing and where I am at in my life more than anything else. I just want to leave the jersey in a good place and I feel like I have done that.
“My first 7s cap was quite a big deal as I was a part of the first ever Scotland Women’s 7s team in 2012.
“I was really young and I didn’t really realise what I was part of at the time. To play at a World Series event was the point I realised ‘oh I can do this, I can go quite far in this sport.’
“The first Six Nations game we won in 2017 against Wales definitely felt like a turning point as well. Obviously, that was the first time we had a full-time coach and it felt like the union were really behind us and I feel like that was the start of the journey for the next few years.
“My favourite ever moment was when Sarah Law took that kick in Italy back in 2021 (in the World Cup qualifier against Ireland).
“Watching videos of it now is like “oh my goodness, I was there and that really happened.” I think that’s the most iconic moment, even though it was nothing to do with me, I was just watching, but to see that happen and to be part of that was really special.”
With the TikTok Women’s Six Nations just around the corner, Gaffney insists she will be keeping a keen eye on all things women’s rugby and is encouraging others to do the same.
“Just keep supporting women’s rugby,” she added.
“We are at a point now where we are putting on good shows and we just want more people to come and enjoy what we do. Keep involved, keep following and come watch us play.
“We couldn’t do this without the supporters and they make it even more special – they are part of it as much as the players.”
