TWO former internationalists will share their experiences of high-level performance and playing pathways with Scottish Rugby.

Megan Gaffney and Stuart McInally have been appointed as advisors to the SRU Board to provide expert insights into performance rugby, given their standing in the game and their journeys through the various levels of rugby in Scotland.

Gaffney, 32, retired from international rugby in 2022, having amassed 45 caps since her debut in 2011.

She was also selected for the Great Britain training squads for the Rio and Tokyo Olympics.

Gaffney started her career at her hometown club in North Berwick and has played club rugby throughout Scotland.

Megan Gaffney (right), pictured alongside Rhona Lloyd and Lisa Thomson, has taken on a new role. Image: SNSMegan Gaffney (right), pictured alongside Rhona Lloyd and Lisa Thomson, has taken on a new role. Image: SNS

Earlier this summer, she was appointed as the new director of rugby – women at Heriot’s Rugby Club.

She said: “I have a real passion to help grow rugby at all levels, particularly women’s rugby, which is in an exciting place right now, so it’s important to keep the momentum going.

“Nobody knows the playing side of rugby better than the players, and to be asked to advise on the decision-making is incredibly humbling.

“These appointments perfectly illustrate the importance Scottish Rugby places on hearing the players’ voice, at all levels of our game.”

Edinburgh-born McInally retired from international rugby in 2023 to focus on his flying career.

The 33-year-old was capped 49 times for his country and captained Scotland at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

The SRU Board was created as part of the governance review conducted by Professor Lorne Crerar in 2022.

The SRU Board and its custodian directors oversee the activities of Scottish Rugby Ltd, which is responsible for the ongoing management and operations of the Scottish Rugby Union Group.

Professor Crerar said: “On behalf of the SRU Board, we are extremely pleased to welcome Megan and Stuart, where their intimate and recent knowledge of the male and female pathways and representative systems will enhance our understanding of the professional game in Scotland and the journeys players take to get there.”