The Scottish Rugby Union has appointed two former Scotland internationals to newly created board advisory roles to share their experiences of high-level performance and playing pathways.
Former Scotland internationals Megan Gaffney and Stuart McInally have been appointed as advisors to the SRU Board to provide expert insights into performance rugby given their standing in the game, and their journeys through the various levels of rugby in Scotland.
Megan retired from international rugby in 2022 having amassed 45 caps since her 2011 debut. She was also selected for the Great Britain training squads for the Rio and Tokyo Olympics. Megan started her career at North Berwick Rugby Club and has played club rugby throughout Scotland. She has just been appointed as the new Director of Rugby – Women at Heriot’s Rugby Club.
Stuart McInally retired from international rugby in 2023 to focus on his flying career. Stuart made his Edinburgh debut in 2015 in the back row before successfully transitioning to hooker. He has played through the pathway system in Scotland since school to full international honours where he won 49 caps, including being captain at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
The SRU Board was created as part of the governance review conducted by Professor Lorne Crerar in 2022. The SRU Board and its Custodian Directors oversee the activities of Scottish Rugby Ltd which is responsible for the ongoing management and operations of the Scottish Rugby Union Group.
Professor Lorne Crerar CBE FRSE, Chair of the Scottish Rugby Union Board, said:
“On behalf of the SRU Board, we are extremely pleased to welcome Megan and Stuart where their intimate and recent knowledge of the male and female pathways and representative systems will enhance our understanding of the professional game in Scotland and the journeys players take to get there.”
Colin Rigby, President of the Scottish Rugby Union, said:
“These appointments ensure that, along with the club-appointed Custodians, that rugby’s traditions and values remain at the forefront of our discussions at board level. Both Megan and Stuart bring with them a wealth of experience of the professional and international game and are respected voices of the players, without who at any level we would not have a game. We look forward to working with them and learning from them as we continue to evolve our beloved game of rugby in Scotland.”
Megan Gaffney said:
“I have a real passion to help grow rugby at all levels, particularly women’s rugby, which is in an exciting place right now so it’s important to keep the momentum going. Nobody knows the playing side of rugby better than the players, and to be asked to advise on the decision making is incredibly humbling. These appointments perfectly illustrate the importance Scottish Rugby places on hearing the players’ voice, at all levels of our game.”
Stuart McInally said:
“I’m really pleased to take up this position with the board. My journey with Scottish Rugby started at age grade level and ended at the Rugby World Cup in France, and I am looking forward to sharing my experiences and learnings from my time in the game to help advance the game of rugby in Scotland.”
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