LET’S DO IT FOR SIOBHAN, SAYS SCOTS BOSS
SCOTLAND’S women have been urged to qualify for the World Cup in memory of tragic team-mate Siobhan Cattigan. Head coach Bryan Easson admitted yesterday that Cattigan remains ‘on the players’ minds at all times’ following her death at the age of 26 just over two months ago.
And he says it would be a fitting tribute to the popular back row if they win the final qualifier which would take them to the showpiece event in New Zealand later this year. Known to team-mates and friends as ‘Shibby’, Cattigan left the whole of Scottish rugby in shock when she passed away last November. She started all three of Scotland’s Six Nations games in 2021 at No 8 and was part of the squad that travelled to Italy in September for the European leg of the World Cup qualifiers. In Parma, she came off the bench in the 66th minute in the win over Spain to earn her 19th and final cap.
The Stirling County player, whose passion for rugby began at the age of five when she joined McLaren Minis in her home town of Callander, made her international debut against Wales during the 2018 Six Nations.
Easson said: ‘Siobhan’s passing was very difficult for everyone involved. She was an integral part of our squad, she played a lot of games whilst I have been coaching with this group and she played most recently in the World Cup qualifiers in Italy. ‘The shock of the news was devastating for everyone involved.
‘All of our thoughts are firmly with her family and the players in our squad have been given excellent support — both from each other and from Scottish Rugby — to help process things. There are lots of people to speak to. ‘Siobhan will always be in our memories and the fact that she has been with us for part of the process (of trying to get to a World Cup) means that we will take her with us (to Dubai) and continue the process of trying to get to New Zealand for her as well.
‘Getting to the World Cup has been a huge driving factor for all of us for a long time and the fact that Siobhan was with us in Italy just a few months ago means she is on the players’ minds at all times.’