Scotland World Cup players criticise Scottish Rugby over contracts as Jade Konkel calls out lack of ‘help’

Before the tournament began, Scottish Rugby said developing the women’s game, with elite home-grown players “eventually” representing Scottish clubs rather than moving elsewhere, was a key priority.

It said that this would “involve a period of transition and change requiring some different contract options and decisions for players”.

In the immediate aftermath of the loss to England in Bristol, captain Rachel Malcolm asked the governing body in Scotland “just to listen”.

“We know this game better than anyone, we’re a part of this thing and we all want the same thing,” Malcolm told BBC Sport. “We want to push Scotland women forward, we want to be a part of Scottish rugby, and we want to work together to compete with the likes of England.”

Those words were echoed by many of her team-mates, including Rachel McLachlan, who said it was “incredibly frustrating not being supported,” while confirming she is “one of the lucky few” who had been given a new contract.

“Just support us, and support women’s rugby,” McLachlan said. “That’s all we ask for. We want to be the best in the world, we want to win these tough games and to do that, we need support.”

Fellow back-rower Evie Gallagher had a similar sentiment from what she wants from the union.

“Respect us as a group,” she said. “We’re all passionate about Scotland and rugby in Scotland. We’re all fighting our own battle individually and this squad is so special.

“We’ve shown that with the things we’ve done over the last few years – WXV2, the quarter-final. We are a group that earned our place and I think we deserve to be supported, whatever that looks like.”

When asked for comment, Scottish Rugby said the organisation “have not and will not comment on individual contracts at this time”.