Rollie feels at home with the Chiefs

By Harry Scott-Munro
6/11/21

Scotland international full-back Chloe Rollie admitted this week she now feels fully “at home and part of the team” as she prepares to make her first appearance for the Exeter Chiefs Women since her summer switch from defending Allianz Premier 15s champions Harlequins.

Her heroics for her country in the European World Cup qualifiers meant that Rollie’s arrival in the Westcountry was delayed until the new season was already underway and, whilst admitting that it had taken her a little bit of time to adjust, the gifted back was adamant that she was now finally feeling at home.

Today, she will get her first outing for Susie Appleby's side, lining up in the No.15 jersey for the club's opening fixture in this season's Allianz Cup away to rivals Sale Sharks ay Heywood Road (2pm).

"The first couple of weeks were a bit tough, especially whilst I was meeting the players and the coaches and finding my feet," explained Rollie, who has swapped life in London for that of the Devon countryside. "Now, though, I think I’ve definitely settled in and I feel more at home and part of the team, so it’s all going well.

“I’ve never lived near the beach, so being near Exmouth is different for me, but it’s just a great place to be!”

The last time Rollie played a match was the World Cup qualifier against Ireland at the end of September and the 26-year-old admitted that she was chomping at the bit to get back out on the field

“I’m so excited, it’s been a long time coming," she added. "I spoke to Susie about coming down to Exeter a couple of months ago. Those first few matches back after the World Cup qualifiers, I didn’t get the chance to play, but now I’m definitely ready to go. It’s been a long time since I’ve played a game, so I’m really excited to get going and get in with the team.”

Looking ahead to the match, Rollie admitted that she was expecting a “very physical team” in the form of the Sharks, but insisted that the key message was for her side to focus on themselves.

“Sale really go after teams but for us, we just need to focus on what we can do as a squad. We’re missing a lot of international players, but we’ve got players who can step in, take the shirt and play well. That said, we definitely need to watch for the physical side of Sharks,” she highlighted.

Whilst fans will no doubt be excited to catch a first glimpse of Rollie in an Exeter Chiefs shirt, she will likely be back in international colours next week against Japan, as she prepares to come up against team-mates Sachiko Kato and Kanako Kobayashi.

Rollie admitted that she had “had a chat and a laugh about it” with her Japanese colleagues, explaining how it makes things “feel a little bit different and a little more comfortable” when coming up against club team-mates at international level.

“I told them I would see them in Scotland,” she joked! “I’m excited to go against them. Japan are a very strong team and I think it will be good for us to play them again after losing to them in the last seconds back in 2019.”