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{{Infobox rugby biography
{{Infobox rugby biography
|birth_date={{birth date and age|1994|12|19|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|12|19|df=y}}
| reppoints1 = 63
|ru_nationalpoints=63
| repcaps1 = 53
|ru_nationalcaps=52
|ru_nationalteam={{nowrap|{{ruw|Scotland}}}}
| repteam1 = {{nwrut|Scotland}}
| repteam2 = [[Barbarians F.C.|Barbarians]]
|ru_nationalyears=2013–present
| repyears1 = 2013–2022
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|birth_place=[[Edinburgh]], Scotland
| repyears2 = 2024
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|ru_position=Scrum-Half, Fly-Half
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| birth_place = [[Edinburgh]], Scotland
⚫
|weight={{cvt|74|kg|lb stlb}}
⚫
| position = Scrum-Half, Fly-Half
⚫
|height={{height|m=1.64}}
⚫
| weight = {{cvt|74|kg|lb stlb}}
⚫
|caption=
⚫
| height = {{height|m=1.64}}
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| caption =
}}
}}
'''Sarah Law''' (born 19 December 1994) is a Scottish rugby player from Penicuik, near Edinburgh. She plays for Scotland and has represented them over fifty times internationally, including at the [[2021 Women's Six Nations Championship]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sarah Law is backed to pull the strings at stand-off for Scotland against Italy in Women's Six Nations|url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-union/scotland-v-italy-sarah-law-is-backed-to-pull-the-strings-at-stand-off-3202738|access-date=2021-05-05|website=www.scotsman.com|language=en}}</ref> Law was the fourth Scottish woman to receive a professional rugby contract from Scotland.<ref name=":0" /> She kicked the match-winning penalty in the win against Wales in the [[2017 Women's Six Nations Championship]] to beat the opposing team for the first time in seven years.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Law gets her kicks for Scotland Women|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39132940|access-date=2021-05-05}}</ref> The win was described a "historic rugby victory" by the Edinburgh Evening News.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sarah Laws explains how she nailed historic Scotland penalty|url=https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/sarah-laws-explains-how-she-nailed-historic-scotland-penalty-604231|access-date=2021-05-05|website=www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com|language=en}}</ref> She repeated the feat under even more pressurised circumstances in 2021 when her 82nd minute conversion of a [[Chloe Rollie]] try put Scotland through to the qualification final for the Rugby World Cup at the expense of their opponents Ireland.<ref>{{cite web |title=RWC Qualifiers: Ireland v Scotland: ice cool Sarah Law seals historic win |url=https://www.theoffsideline.com/rwc-qualifiers-ireland-v-scotland-ice-cool-sarah-law-seals-historic-win/ |website=The Offside Line |access-date=2022-08-26}}</ref>
'''Sarah Law''' (born 19 December 1994) is a former Scottish rugby player from Penicuik, near Edinburgh. She played for Scotland and represented them over fifty times internationally, including at the [[2021 Women's Six Nations Championship]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sarah Law is backed to pull the strings at stand-off for Scotland against Italy in Women's Six Nations|url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-union/scotland-v-italy-sarah-law-is-backed-to-pull-the-strings-at-stand-off-3202738|access-date=2021-05-05|website=www.scotsman.com|language=en}}</ref> Law was the fourth Scottish woman to receive a professional rugby contract from Scotland.<ref name=":0" /> She kicked the match-winning penalty in the win against Wales in the [[2017 Women's Six Nations Championship]] to beat the opposing team for the first time in seven years.<ref name="BBC Sport">{{Cite news|title=Law gets her kicks for Scotland Women|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39132940|access-date=2021-05-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Sarah Laws explains how she nailed historic Scotland penalty|url=https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/sarah-laws-explains-how-she-nailed-historic-scotland-penalty-604231|access-date=2021-05-05|website=www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com|language=en}}</ref> She repeated the feat under even more pressurised circumstances in 2021 when her 82nd minute conversion of a [[Chloe Rollie]] try put Scotland through to the qualification final for the Rugby World Cup at the expense of their opponents Ireland.<ref>{{cite web |title=RWC Qualifiers: Ireland v Scotland: ice cool Sarah Law seals historic win |url=https://www.theoffsideline.com/rwc-qualifiers-ireland-v-scotland-ice-cool-sarah-law-seals-historic-win/ |website=The Offside Line |date=25 September 2021 |access-date=2022-08-26}}</ref>


== Club career ==
== Club career ==
Law started playing rugby at [[Penicuik RFC|Penicuik Rugby Club]] aged five, playing in the mixed mini side throughout her primary school years until she moved to secondary school, aged 11.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Penicuik's Sarah Law makes rugby return after year out in Scotland Six Nations match|url=https://www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/penicuiks-sarah-law-makes-rugby-return-in-scotland-v-wales-six-nations-3207375|access-date=2021-05-05|website=www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk|language=en}}</ref> At that point, she moved on to the [[Murrayfield Wanderers FC|Murrayfield Wanderers]] girls U15/U18 team. She was a scrum half for both the University team and Murrayfield Wanderers. She began playing for Wanderers' senior team in January 2012, as she had just turned 17, and helped them win the league and cup double that season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sarah Law|url=http://www.scottishrugby.org/squads/scotland-women/sarah-law|access-date=2021-05-05|website=Scottish Rugby Union|language=en}}</ref>
Law started playing rugby at [[Penicuik RFC|Penicuik Rugby Club]] aged five, playing in the mixed mini side throughout her primary school years until she moved to secondary school, aged 11.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Penicuik's Sarah Law makes rugby return after year out in Scotland Six Nations match|url=https://www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/penicuiks-sarah-law-makes-rugby-return-in-scotland-v-wales-six-nations-3207375|access-date=2021-05-05|website=www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk|language=en}}</ref> At that point, she moved on to the [[Murrayfield Wanderers FC|Murrayfield Wanderers]] girls U15/U18 team. She was a scrum half for both the University team and Murrayfield Wanderers. She began playing for Wanderers' senior team in January 2012, as she had just turned 17, and helped them win the league and cup double that season.<ref name="Sarah Law">{{Cite web|title=Sarah Law|url=http://www.scottishrugby.org/squads/scotland-women/sarah-law|access-date=2021-05-05|website=Scottish Rugby Union|language=en}}</ref>


Law played in numerous schools' cup finals and, in 2012, scored 32 points and picked up Player of the Match as Wanderers beat Plockton HS to the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Shield.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-02-01|title=Ex-Pupil To Make Penicuik Proud|url=http://www.penicuikcuckoo.co.uk/2013/02/ex-pupil-to-make-penicuik-proud/|access-date=2021-05-05|website=The Penicuik Cuckoo|language=en-GB}}</ref>
Law played in numerous schools' cup finals and, in 2012, scored 32 points and picked up Player of the Match as Wanderers beat Plockton HS to the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Shield.<ref name="Ex-Pupil To Make Penicuik Proud">{{Cite web|date=2013-02-01|title=Ex-Pupil To Make Penicuik Proud|url=http://www.penicuikcuckoo.co.uk/2013/02/ex-pupil-to-make-penicuik-proud/|access-date=2021-05-05|website=The Penicuik Cuckoo|language=en-GB}}</ref>


She captained the winning 2017 University of Edinburgh team that played in The British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Championship, defeating Northumbria at Twickenham 48-5.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rugby success for Edinburgh at Twickenham|url=https://www.ed.ac.uk/news/2017/rugby-success-for-edinburgh-at-twickenham|access-date=2021-05-05|website=The University of Edinburgh|language=en}}</ref>
She captained the winning 2017 University of Edinburgh team that played in The British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Championship, defeating Northumbria at Twickenham 48-5.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rugby success for Edinburgh at Twickenham|url=https://www.ed.ac.uk/news/2017/rugby-success-for-edinburgh-at-twickenham|access-date=2021-05-05|website=The University of Edinburgh|language=en}}</ref>
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== International career ==
== International career ==
Law first played for Scotland 7s in June 2012. Her international 15-a-side debut took place in the England v Scotland match of 2013 in Esher against England in the [[Women's Six Nations Championship|Women's Six Nations]] opener and she scored her first points, a conversion, against Sweden in the eleven-try FIRA victory in Madrid in April 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sarah Law|url=http://www.scottishrugby.org/squads/scotland-women/sarah-law|access-date=2021-05-05|website=Scottish Rugby Union|language=en}}</ref> She has played scrum half for most of her career. Since September 2019, she plays stand-off.
Law first played for Scotland 7s in June 2012. Her international 15-a-side debut took place in the England v Scotland match of 2013 in Esher against England in the [[Women's Six Nations Championship|Women's Six Nations]] opener and she scored her first points, a conversion, against Sweden in the eleven-try FIRA victory in Madrid in April 2013.<ref name="Sarah Law"/> She played scrum half for the early part of her career, but moved to stand-off in 2019.


In 2017, she played in the match that saw Scotland's Women's team triumph for the first time in seven years in a game against Wales, which saw them secure a 15-14 victory, coming back from being 14-0 down.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Law gets her kicks for Scotland Women|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39132940|access-date=2021-05-05}}</ref> Her role was described by the Women's Six Nations as "pivotal" to the revival of Scotland's Women's team, as she kicked the match-winning penalty in the game's closing minutes.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|date=2017-03-09|title=Sarah Law pivotal to Scotland Women's revival|url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2017/03/09/sarah-law-pivotal-to-scotland-womens-revival/|access-date=2021-04-21|website=Six Nations Rugby|language=en-GB}}</ref>
In 2017, she played in the match that saw Scotland's Women's team triumph for the first time in seven years in a game against Wales, which saw them secure a 15-14 victory, coming back from being 14-0 down.<ref name="BBC Sport"/> Her role was described by the Women's Six Nations as "pivotal" to the revival of Scotland's Women's team, as she kicked the match-winning penalty in the game's closing minutes.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|date=2017-03-09|title=Sarah Law pivotal to Scotland Women's revival|url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2017/03/09/sarah-law-pivotal-to-scotland-womens-revival/|access-date=2021-04-21|website=Six Nations Rugby|language=en-GB}}</ref>


Law attributes some of her progress in Scottish Women's rugby to the influence of coach [[Shade Munro]], who began coaching the team in 2016.<ref name="auto" /> In 2017, Law was the fourth Scottish woman to receive a professional rugby contract from Scotland.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=topofthemoon|date=2017-09-18|title=Scottish Rugby Academy – progress report|url=https://ontopofthemoon.com/2017/09/18/scottish-rugby-academy-progress-report/|access-date=2021-05-03|website=On Top Of The Moon|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Fourth Scottish woman gets pro rugby contract|url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-union/fourth-scottish-woman-gets-pro-rugby-contract-1439805|access-date=2021-05-03|website=www.scotsman.com|language=en}}</ref> She also earned professional contracts in 2018 and 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=September 2018|first=Chris Heal Thursday 20|title=Scottish Varsity 2018 Preview: University of Edinburgh v University of St Andrews|url=http://www.talkingrugbyunion.co.uk/scottish-varsity-2018-preview-university-of-edinburgh-v-university-of-st-andrews/21203.htm|access-date=2021-05-03|website=Talking Rugby Union}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-07-26|title=Scotland award eight contracts|url=https://www.scrumqueens.com/news/scotland-award-eight-contracts|access-date=2021-05-03|website=Scrum Queens|language=en}}</ref> However, she was out of action for 11 months following the 2018 Six Women's Nations Championship, during which she tore her Achilles tendon.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SA 2019: New shark Sarah bringing bite to Scottish attack – GH Media|url=https://gh-media.co.uk/rugby-news/sa-2019-new-shark-sarah-bringing-bite-to-scottish-attack/|access-date=2021-05-05|language=en-GB}}</ref>
Law attributes some of her progress in Scottish Women's rugby to the influence of coach [[Shade Munro]], who began coaching the team in 2016.<ref name="auto" /> In 2017, Law was the fourth Scottish woman to receive a professional rugby contract from Scotland.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=topofthemoon|date=2017-09-18|title=Scottish Rugby Academy – progress report|url=https://ontopofthemoon.com/2017/09/18/scottish-rugby-academy-progress-report/|access-date=2021-05-03|website=On Top Of The Moon|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Fourth Scottish woman gets pro rugby contract|url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-union/fourth-scottish-woman-gets-pro-rugby-contract-1439805|access-date=2021-05-03|website=www.scotsman.com|language=en}}</ref> She also earned professional contracts in 2018 and 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=September 2018|first=Chris Heal Thursday 20|title=Scottish Varsity 2018 Preview: University of Edinburgh v University of St Andrews|url=http://www.talkingrugbyunion.co.uk/scottish-varsity-2018-preview-university-of-edinburgh-v-university-of-st-andrews/21203.htm|access-date=2021-05-03|website=Talking Rugby Union}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-07-26|title=Scotland award eight contracts|url=https://www.scrumqueens.com/news/scotland-award-eight-contracts|access-date=2021-05-03|website=Scrum Queens|language=en}}</ref> However, she was out of action for 11 months following the 2018 Six Women's Nations Championship, during which she tore her Achilles tendon.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SA 2019: New shark Sarah bringing bite to Scottish attack – GH Media|url=https://gh-media.co.uk/rugby-news/sa-2019-new-shark-sarah-bringing-bite-to-scottish-attack/|access-date=2021-05-05|language=en-GB}}</ref>
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The Championship marked her ninth successive year as part of Scotland’s Six Nations squad, although the team's match against Italy was her first game of any kind for 432 days due to COVID restrictions and a torn Achilles injury.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Penicuik's Sarah Law makes rugby return after year out in Scotland Six Nations match|url=https://www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/penicuiks-sarah-law-makes-rugby-return-in-scotland-v-wales-six-nations-3207375|access-date=2021-04-21|website=www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk|language=en}}</ref> Scotland coach Bryan Easson brought her in at stand-off for the Women’s Six Nations match against Italy, comparing her strategic approach to a chess player: "She moves the pawns around the pitch well and what I mean is that she is a 10 in the women’s game who can think two or three phases ahead rather than phase by phase."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sarah Law is backed to pull the strings at stand-off for Scotland against Italy in Women's Six Nations|url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-union/scotland-v-italy-sarah-law-is-backed-to-pull-the-strings-at-stand-off-3202738|access-date=2021-04-21|website=www.scotsman.com|language=en}}</ref>
The Championship marked her ninth successive year as part of Scotland’s Six Nations squad, although the team's match against Italy was her first game of any kind for 432 days due to COVID restrictions and a torn Achilles injury.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Penicuik's Sarah Law makes rugby return after year out in Scotland Six Nations match|url=https://www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/penicuiks-sarah-law-makes-rugby-return-in-scotland-v-wales-six-nations-3207375|access-date=2021-04-21|website=www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk|language=en}}</ref> Scotland coach Bryan Easson brought her in at stand-off for the Women’s Six Nations match against Italy, comparing her strategic approach to a chess player: "She moves the pawns around the pitch well and what I mean is that she is a 10 in the women’s game who can think two or three phases ahead rather than phase by phase."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sarah Law is backed to pull the strings at stand-off for Scotland against Italy in Women's Six Nations|url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-union/scotland-v-italy-sarah-law-is-backed-to-pull-the-strings-at-stand-off-3202738|access-date=2021-04-21|website=www.scotsman.com|language=en}}</ref>


In her international rugby career, she has made 32 starts and 20 appearances as a replacement, scoring 2 tries, 16 conversions and 6 penalty goals.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sarah Law|url=http://www.scottishrugby.org/teams/scotland-women/sarah-law|access-date=2022-08-26|website=Scottish Rugby Union|language=en}}</ref>
In her international rugby career, she has made 33 starts and 20 appearances as a replacement, scoring 2 tries, 16 conversions and 6 penalty goals.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sarah Law|url=http://www.scottishrugby.org/teams/scotland-women/sarah-law|access-date=2022-08-26|website=Scottish Rugby Union|language=en}}</ref> Her last international game was against Australia in the 2021 Rugby World Cup (played in 2022) at the Northland Events Centre, Whangarei, New Zealand <ref>{{Citation |title=2021 Rugby World Cup Pool A |date=2024-03-18 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=2021_Rugby_World_Cup_Pool_A&oldid=1214439140 |access-date=2024-06-10 |language=en}}</ref>

In May 2024, Law announced her retirement from high-performance rugby.<ref>{{cite web |title=Former Scotland player Law retires from rugby |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/crggd552z4go |website=BBC Sport |access-date=31 May 2024}}</ref>

In September 2024, Law came briefly out of retirement to play for the [[Barbarians F.C.|Barbarians]] invitational team against [[South Africa women's national rugby union team|South Africa]] in Cape Town.,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Barbarian women's squad announced as seven international stars set to play final match|date=2024-08-27|url=https://www.barbarianfc.co.uk/news/barbarian-womens-squad-announced-as-seven-international-stars-set-to-play-final-match/|access-date=2024-09-27|language=en}}</ref> becoming the first player from [[Penicuik RFC|Penicuik Rugby Club]] to achieve that honour.


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Sarah Megan Law attended Penicuik High School, where she was head girl.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-02-01|title=Ex-Pupil To Make Penicuik Proud|url=http://www.penicuikcuckoo.co.uk/2013/02/ex-pupil-to-make-penicuik-proud/|access-date=2021-05-05|website=The Penicuik Cuckoo|language=en-GB}}</ref> She studied Applied Mathematics at [[University of Edinburgh|Edinburgh University]], before undertaking a part-time Masters in Operational Research with Data Science.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-03-09|title=Sarah Law pivotal to Scotland Women's revival|url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2017/03/09/sarah-law-pivotal-to-scotland-womens-revival/|access-date=2021-05-05|website=Six Nations Rugby|language=en-GB}}</ref>
Sarah Megan Law attended Penicuik High School, where she was head girl.<ref name="Ex-Pupil To Make Penicuik Proud"/> She studied Applied Mathematics at [[University of Edinburgh|Edinburgh University]], before undertaking a part-time Masters in Operational Research with Data Science.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-03-09|title=Sarah Law pivotal to Scotland Women's revival|url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2017/03/09/sarah-law-pivotal-to-scotland-womens-revival/|access-date=2021-05-05|website=Six Nations Rugby|language=en-GB}}</ref>


Her father played scrum half at their local club in Penicuik, which is where she picked up the game. Her younger sister Rachel also played for Scotland U20 and has been involved in the extended Scotland squad for a number of years.<ref>{{Citation|title=Girls Series {{!}} Q&A with Lisa Thomson and Sarah Law|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZvyNxLjek8|language=en|access-date=2021-05-05}}</ref>
Her father played scrum half at their local club in Penicuik, which is where she picked up the game. Her younger sister Rachel also played for Scotland U20 and has been involved in the extended Scotland squad for a number of years.<ref>{{Citation|title=Girls Series {{!}} Q&A with Lisa Thomson and Sarah Law|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZvyNxLjek8|language=en|access-date=2021-05-05}}</ref>
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== Honours ==
== Honours ==

{{Empty section|date=April 2021}}

* 2016-17, Alex Currie Award (most inspirational performance of the year), Edinburgh University Sports Union<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Alex Currie Award|url=https://www.eusu.ed.ac.uk/awards/pastawardwinners/thealexcurrieaward/|access-date=2021-05-03|website=www.eusu.ed.ac.uk}}</ref>
* 2016-17, Alex Currie Award (most inspirational performance of the year), Edinburgh University Sports Union<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Alex Currie Award|url=https://www.eusu.ed.ac.uk/awards/pastawardwinners/thealexcurrieaward/|access-date=2021-05-03|website=www.eusu.ed.ac.uk}}</ref>
* 2015-16, Executive Committee Award (major services to club/university sport), Edinburgh University Sports Union<ref>{{Cite web|title=Executive Committee Awards|url=https://www.eusu.ed.ac.uk/awards/pastawardwinners/executivecommitteeawards/|access-date=2021-05-03|website=www.eusu.ed.ac.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Ladies Rugby|url=https://www.eusu.ed.ac.uk/awards/pastawardwinners/colours/ladiesrugby/|access-date=2021-05-03|website=www.eusu.ed.ac.uk}}</ref>
* 2015-16, Executive Committee Award (major services to club/university sport), Edinburgh University Sports Union<ref>{{Cite web|title=Executive Committee Awards|url=https://www.eusu.ed.ac.uk/awards/pastawardwinners/executivecommitteeawards/|access-date=2021-05-03|website=www.eusu.ed.ac.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Ladies Rugby|url=https://www.eusu.ed.ac.uk/awards/pastawardwinners/colours/ladiesrugby/|access-date=2021-05-03|website=www.eusu.ed.ac.uk}}</ref>
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{{Scotland Women's squad 2021 Rugby World Cup}}
{{Scotland Women's squad 2021 Rugby World Cup}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Law, Sarah}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Law, Sarah}}
[[Category:1994 births]]
[[Category:1994 births]]
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[[Category:Scotland women's international rugby union players]]
[[Category:Scotland women's international rugby union players]]
[[Category:Scottish female rugby union players]]
[[Category:Scottish female rugby union players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Midlothian]]
[[Category:Penicuik RFC players]]
⚫
[[Category:Rugby union players from Edinburgh]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Penicuik]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Penicuik]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Midlothian]]
[[Category:Rugby union fly-halves]]
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[[Category:Rugby union scrum-halves]]
[[Category:Sale Sharks Women players]]
[[Category:Darlington Mowden Park Sharks players]]

Latest revision as of 14:18, 28 November 2024

Sarah Law
Date of birth (1994-12-19) 19 December 1994 (age 29)
Place of birthEdinburgh, Scotland
Height1.64 m (5 ft 4+1⁄2 in)
Weight74 kg (163 lb; 11 st 9 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrum-Half, Fly-Half
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2013–2022 Scotland 53 (63)
2024 Barbarians

Sarah Law (born 19 December 1994) is a former Scottish rugby player from Penicuik, near Edinburgh. She played for Scotland and represented them over fifty times internationally, including at the 2021 Women's Six Nations Championship.[1] Law was the fourth Scottish woman to receive a professional rugby contract from Scotland.[2] She kicked the match-winning penalty in the win against Wales in the 2017 Women's Six Nations Championship to beat the opposing team for the first time in seven years.[3][4] She repeated the feat under even more pressurised circumstances in 2021 when her 82nd minute conversion of a Chloe Rollie try put Scotland through to the qualification final for the Rugby World Cup at the expense of their opponents Ireland.[5]

Club career

[edit]

Law started playing rugby at Penicuik Rugby Club aged five, playing in the mixed mini side throughout her primary school years until she moved to secondary school, aged 11.[6] At that point, she moved on to the Murrayfield Wanderers girls U15/U18 team. She was a scrum half for both the University team and Murrayfield Wanderers. She began playing for Wanderers' senior team in January 2012, as she had just turned 17, and helped them win the league and cup double that season.[7]

Law played in numerous schools' cup finals and, in 2012, scored 32 points and picked up Player of the Match as Wanderers beat Plockton HS to the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Shield.[8]

She captained the winning 2017 University of Edinburgh team that played in The British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Championship, defeating Northumbria at Twickenham 48-5.[9]

In 2019, Sarah signed for Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, playing alongside Scottish team mate Lisa Thomson.[10]

International career

[edit]

Law first played for Scotland 7s in June 2012. Her international 15-a-side debut took place in the England v Scotland match of 2013 in Esher against England in the Women's Six Nations opener and she scored her first points, a conversion, against Sweden in the eleven-try FIRA victory in Madrid in April 2013.[7] She played scrum half for the early part of her career, but moved to stand-off in 2019.

In 2017, she played in the match that saw Scotland's Women's team triumph for the first time in seven years in a game against Wales, which saw them secure a 15-14 victory, coming back from being 14-0 down.[3] Her role was described by the Women's Six Nations as "pivotal" to the revival of Scotland's Women's team, as she kicked the match-winning penalty in the game's closing minutes.[11]

Law attributes some of her progress in Scottish Women's rugby to the influence of coach Shade Munro, who began coaching the team in 2016.[11] In 2017, Law was the fourth Scottish woman to receive a professional rugby contract from Scotland.[2][12] She also earned professional contracts in 2018 and 2020.[13][14] However, she was out of action for 11 months following the 2018 Six Women's Nations Championship, during which she tore her Achilles tendon.[15]

In 2021 due to injury, Law did not receive one of the eight Scotland Rugby contracts, but received funding support from BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy. She earned her 40th cap during a 2019 tour to South Africa.[16]

The Championship marked her ninth successive year as part of Scotland’s Six Nations squad, although the team's match against Italy was her first game of any kind for 432 days due to COVID restrictions and a torn Achilles injury.[17] Scotland coach Bryan Easson brought her in at stand-off for the Women’s Six Nations match against Italy, comparing her strategic approach to a chess player: "She moves the pawns around the pitch well and what I mean is that she is a 10 in the women’s game who can think two or three phases ahead rather than phase by phase."[18]

In her international rugby career, she has made 33 starts and 20 appearances as a replacement, scoring 2 tries, 16 conversions and 6 penalty goals.[19] Her last international game was against Australia in the 2021 Rugby World Cup (played in 2022) at the Northland Events Centre, Whangarei, New Zealand [20]

In May 2024, Law announced her retirement from high-performance rugby.[21]

In September 2024, Law came briefly out of retirement to play for the Barbarians invitational team against South Africa in Cape Town.,[22] becoming the first player from Penicuik Rugby Club to achieve that honour.

Personal life

[edit]

Sarah Megan Law attended Penicuik High School, where she was head girl.[8] She studied Applied Mathematics at Edinburgh University, before undertaking a part-time Masters in Operational Research with Data Science.[23]

Her father played scrum half at their local club in Penicuik, which is where she picked up the game. Her younger sister Rachel also played for Scotland U20 and has been involved in the extended Scotland squad for a number of years.[24]

Outside of her rugby career, Law worked as a Data Analyst at the University of Edinburgh and is a qualified Operational Research Analyst.

Honours

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  • 2016-17, Alex Currie Award (most inspirational performance of the year), Edinburgh University Sports Union[25]
  • 2015-16, Executive Committee Award (major services to club/university sport), Edinburgh University Sports Union[26][27]
  • 2013-14, Top Sports Woman Award, Edinburgh University Sports Union[28]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Sarah Law is backed to pull the strings at stand-off for Scotland against Italy in Women's Six Nations". www.scotsman.com. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  2. ^ a b topofthemoon (2017-09-18). "Scottish Rugby Academy – progress report". On Top Of The Moon. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  3. ^ a b "Law gets her kicks for Scotland Women". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  4. ^ "Sarah Laws explains how she nailed historic Scotland penalty". www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  5. ^ "RWC Qualifiers: Ireland v Scotland: ice cool Sarah Law seals historic win". The Offside Line. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
  6. ^ "Penicuik's Sarah Law makes rugby return after year out in Scotland Six Nations match". www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  7. ^ a b "Sarah Law". Scottish Rugby Union. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  8. ^ a b "Ex-Pupil To Make Penicuik Proud". The Penicuik Cuckoo. 2013-02-01. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  9. ^ "Rugby success for Edinburgh at Twickenham". The University of Edinburgh. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  10. ^ "SA 2019: New shark Sarah bringing bite to Scottish attack – GH Media". Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  11. ^ a b "Sarah Law pivotal to Scotland Women's revival". Six Nations Rugby. 2017-03-09. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  12. ^ "Fourth Scottish woman gets pro rugby contract". www.scotsman.com. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  13. ^ September 2018, Chris Heal Thursday 20. "Scottish Varsity 2018 Preview: University of Edinburgh v University of St Andrews". Talking Rugby Union. Retrieved 2021-05-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ "Scotland award eight contracts". Scrum Queens. 2018-07-26. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  15. ^ "SA 2019: New shark Sarah bringing bite to Scottish attack – GH Media". Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  16. ^ Scotland Fly-Half Sarah Law on 40th cap, retrieved 2021-04-21
  17. ^ "Penicuik's Sarah Law makes rugby return after year out in Scotland Six Nations match". www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  18. ^ "Sarah Law is backed to pull the strings at stand-off for Scotland against Italy in Women's Six Nations". www.scotsman.com. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  19. ^ "Sarah Law". Scottish Rugby Union. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
  20. ^ "2021 Rugby World Cup Pool A", Wikipedia, 2024-03-18, retrieved 2024-06-10
  21. ^ "Former Scotland player Law retires from rugby". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  22. ^ "Barbarian women's squad announced as seven international stars set to play final match". 2024-08-27. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  23. ^ "Sarah Law pivotal to Scotland Women's revival". Six Nations Rugby. 2017-03-09. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  24. ^ Girls Series | Q&A with Lisa Thomson and Sarah Law, retrieved 2021-05-05
  25. ^ "The Alex Currie Award". www.eusu.ed.ac.uk. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  26. ^ "Executive Committee Awards". www.eusu.ed.ac.uk. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  27. ^ "Ladies Rugby". www.eusu.ed.ac.uk. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  28. ^ "Ladies Rugby". www.eusu.ed.ac.uk. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
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