EMILY SCOTT BECOMES HARLEQUINS CENTURION

Emily Scott brought up a century for Harlequins last weekend and has no plans of stopping anytime soon as she aims to inspire the next generation of female rugby fans... writes Nathan Edwards

Scott has had an illustrious career for both club and country with her 100th appearance for Harlequins showcasing her longevity as well as her talent.

The fly-half was handed a framed shirt on the pitch by Chloe Edwards, after Quins picked up their third win of the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby season, as Scott joined Edwards as the club’s only two female centurions.

Scott said: “There were lots of little surprises throughout the day really, I turned up to the changing room and there was a bottle of champagne and some chocolates, and then loads of the girls got me cards as well.

“I had loads of balloons that said 100, then (England World Cup winner and Harlequins centre) Rachael Burford did a really nice speech for me in the team meeting beforehand.

“I definitely felt the love and it was very special.”

💯 Appearances in the Quarters!

Congratulations to centurion @emily_scott10 on being the second Harlequins player to make 100 appearances for the Club 👏#COYQ #HARvSAL pic.twitter.com/L7bsjz1Q1G

— Harlequins Women 🃏 (@HarlequinsWomen) February 4, 2024

The final gift Scott received was handed to her by Quins CEO Laurie Dalrymple and owner Charles Jillings which was a frame of one picture from each one of her games.

But her impact on the team and English rugby goes beyond just this feat and since debuting for Quins in 2018, Scott and the sport have progressed hugely.

The 31-year-old captain said: “The reason I joined the club is not only because of the on-field feel but off-field what they were trying to achieve as a club.

“They were really forward-thinking.

“It has been a special journey, winning the Premiership along the way is a real highlight and something that every player wants to do.

“But just to be able to reach 100 caps and play with these girls is great.

“As a team, we have changed a lot, the program itself has grown. We have a great infrastructure now which has obviously developed over time so that has been great to see those off-field changes.

“Then on the field, for me personally, I try to grow as a player and I don’t want to get to the stage where I don’t think I have anything to improve on or if I get a bit stagnant.”

This desire for personal growth has reaped its rewards.

Scott has won two Six Nations Grand Slams and represented Team GB at the Rio Olympics, as well as winning a medal for England at the Commonwealth Games in rugby sevens.

At club level, she won Harlequins Player of the Year but all these accolades have come from her pure enjoyment for the sport rather than setting goals, and she is keeping that same mentality later on in her career.

She said: “If you said to me when I started out in rugby where I would be now and what I have achieved there is not a chance that I would have believed you.

“I never really had big ambitions, but I also felt like I could achieve big things. I’ve never put a label on things I could do, I have only wanted to go out and be the best version of myself.

“But I can definitely look back on my career so far and be really proud of where I have come and what I have done but ultimately, I am still playing so I want to keep pushing forward.

“If I get another 100 caps, I might be 82 at that point.

“I am not saying I want to get to 150 caps or anything more than that, I just want to play and keep fit as well as be the best person for the team.”

Away from Harlequins, Scott’s life still revolves around rugby as she coaches kids and tries to keep the next generation interested in the sport.

She added: “If I think back to my age I probably didn’t have people to look up to and there wasn’t an opportunity if I wanted to get a specialist kicking coaching from a female, there just wasn’t an option.

“To be able to offer that to young kids coming through and see them supporting us as a fan is something that is amazing.

“I don’t take it for granted and I definitely want to keep pushing that for the next generation for sure.”

Her 100th cap for Harlequins was a proud moment for Scott and her family but her influence on rugby will long continue whether it is on the pitch or off it.