Winter ready for home opportunity

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 28: A Glasgow Warriors Womens team picture during a training session at Scotstoun Stadium, on December 28, 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

After two away matches to open up the team’s inaugural Celtic Challenge campaign, the Forfar-born Scotland international and her team-mates are relishing the opportunity that awaits them at Scotstoun tomorrow, as they become the first women’s team to ever run out for a competitive fixture at the home of the Warriors.

“It’s amazing,” Winter told glasgowwarriors.org.

“When I was growing up there was certainly nothing like this to aspire to. To have it on our doorstep and to be able to inspire the next generation of girls and boys is an honour and a privilege, and we want to make it an accessible goal for everyone.”

Despite the squad still awaiting their first win in the competition, Chris Laidlaw’s squad remain upbeat, having turned in two impressive performances in their two fixtures to date.

Having featured in both matches thus far, Winter believes that the potential in the playing group will only see the level of performance continue to rise, beginning with the visit of the Wolfhounds to Scotstoun tomorrow afternoon.

“Everyone’s extremely positive in the squad right now,” she said.

“All the chat, especially from the coaches, is all about what we’re doing well and how we can be the best version of ourselves – I think we as players can be hard on ourselves a lot of the time!

“The amount of information that the coaches have been able to get over to us in such a short space of time is amazing, and the upward trajectory we’re on as a group is so exciting.

“Having someone like Louise McMillan involved, with all her experience and what she brings to the table, has been fantastic for us as a group. Emma Turner, too, has really led by example – she always puts her hand up to make the hard yards, and her leadership has been immense.

“I’d love to see Lucy MacRae get into some space with the ball, because she’s incredibly hard to play against! I definitely enjoy having her on my team, for sure! The talent across the team makes this a really fun group to be a part of and we all can’t wait for tomorrow.”

Indeed, the prospect of having the Warrior Nation cheer on their every move is one that has spurred on Winter and her team-mates ahead of their home bow, as the countdown to kick-off continues.

For the back-rower, too, the match serves as another milestone in her rugby career to date, as she continues to represent the north-east with pride.

“It’s been a tough start having two away fixtures to start the competition, although the number of travelling supporters we had through in Edinburgh for the opening game made it feel a lot more like a home game than it could have done,” smiled Winter.

“Going down to Wales is never an easy place to go either, so to be able to come back home and have the prospect of running out at Scotstoun, the place we train and with our family and friends in the stands – it’s going to be such a big day.

“It’s incredible to think about really. The example we have the chance to set for the next generation is so exciting, and to be able to represent the north east and my home region is something I’m always proud to be able to do. I can’t wait.”