FORMIDABLE. ICON. Trailblazing. A few words to describe Scotland’s Jade Konkel-Roberts after yet another impressive showing by the No 8 in the TikTok Six Nations.
She has taken her gainline-winning carries into the Premier 15s with her club Harlequins. Fans can see how she operates during games but team-mates have experience of her in training and are thankful she is on their side.
“Nobody likes tackling her,” says Scotland wing Rhona Lloyd. “Fortunately I only have to do it in training!”
Konkel-Roberts has been inspirational in professionalising the squad, becoming the first woman to earn a contract with Scotland. She was awarded the deal in 2016 before the SRU handed out 28 contracts late last year. Her team-mates celebrate her as a groundbreaker.
“She has always been a big influence on the team since I’ve been a part of it,” Lloyd adds. “She is so good with the young ones, really leading the way.
“She left university to pursue that first contract full-time. Although we call her our first professional player, that wasn’t because a professional salary was there. It was Jade taking it upon herself to make those sacrifices to do that.
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Denne historien er fra July 2023-utgaven av Rugby World.
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