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09
Aug
'Proud is an understatement': Harrogate rugby player makes Scotland debut
A Harrogate rugby union player celebrated her international debut last weekend — in rugby league.
Georgia Briggs featured in Scotland’s 18-12 loss to Wales on Sunday (August 3), in what was the nation’s first-ever women’s international rugby league match.
Briggs came on as a substitute in the 15th minute in a match in which the Bravehearts were denied by a last-minute Bethan Dainton try.
She only started playing league in February, having previously played union for 10 years.
Speaking to the Stray Ferret this week, Briggs told us how she got into rugby, and what inspired her change of code. She said:
About 10 years ago, my local club back in Bradford, Baildon, came into my school to run a few sessions, so I started playing union. I played throughout uni, then when I left in 2022, I joined Harrogate. Five months ago, I switched to league when the Scotland opportunity came about.
I’ve always flirted with the idea of league; it’s a much bigger sport in the north. Harrogate Rugby Club introduced me to the Scottish Exiles set-up for rugby union, so I’d already been introduced to the Scotland pathway.
In February, I saw on social media that Scotland was starting a women’s rugby league team for the first time. I’d never played before, but I thought: ‘why the hell not?’ You don’t get opportunities like this very often, so I just went, gave it a go and never looked back.
Georgia Briggs (far left) celebrates with the Scotland squad.
Harrogate captain Briggs, who qualifies as Scottish through her mum, was selected as part of Scotland’s 31-player training squad for 2025 in April.
In late July, she was included in the 23-player squad to face Wales:
It was surreal; really exciting. I never expected to be selected for the training squad, never mind the match-day squad. I couldn’t believe it. It’s just felt like a complete fever dream, to be honest; it hasn't felt real at all. I’ve felt proud about it because it was such a big step out of my comfort zone. But the support I’ve received from everybody has been incredible.
It was easy to feel a bit of imposter syndrome, I can’t lie. But you learn from discomfort. There’s a mix of players who play in the Super League and the Championship – a high level of rugby league. But it’s such a supportive environment. You'd think at an international level it would be uber competitive, and whilst it is, everybody is so supportive and just wants to see you succeed. So I’ve not felt out of my depth at all.
Georgia Briggs (right).
The 24-year-old credited her coaches for her step-up to international level.
Scotland head coach John Whalley even changed her position, deciding to try her as a forward after watching her train.
Despite playing most of her union career as a full back, Briggs featured as a prop and a lock forward against Wales.
She said that she loved it as it’s “a much simpler position to play and involves a lot more running and tackling”.
Briggs told us her thoughts about the match:
As much as we didn't come away with the win from a scoreline perspective, it was a huge win for Scotland women's rugby league. We scored the first try in the opening minutes and pushed it to Wales. They've been an established team for several years now. It didn’t feel like a loss.
From an individual perspective, I was so nervous. But I’m really proud because it was my eighth game of rugby league, and my first game playing as a forward. I walked off that pitch knowing that I'd put in 110% and I know that every other player felt the same.
At the start of this year, if someone told me that I'd have switched to rugby league and and played for Scotland, I'd have never believed it. Proud is a complete understatement. I think I'll still be riding the waves of of last weekend forever. It will stay with me for life.
Briggs carries the ball towards the try line.
Briggs said Scotland's performance was a “real statement of intent”, and added they could soon push for World Cup qualification.
Since making her debut on Sunday, she has signed a contract with Swinton Lionesses, a Manchester-based side that plays in the Women’s Championship – tier two of the women’s rugby league pyramid.
The fullback-turned-forward said her ambitions are to win promotion to the Super League with her new side.
When not committed to league duties, Briggs said she will continue playing union socially for Harrogate.
Although she embraces both codes of the game, her transition to league has given her a chance of making it to the very top.
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