Rollie returns for Sharks encounter
By Harry Scott-Munro
5/3/22
Fresh from helping Scotland qualify for the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, full-back Chloe Rollie is relishing the opportunity to get back in an Exeter Chiefs shirt today against lowly DMP Sharks at Sandy Park (2:30pm).
Reflecting on the qualification match against Colombia, Rollie was thrilled to have earnt the opportunity to show what she can do on the world stage, after missing out five years ago.
She said: “I’m so excited. We’ve been working so hard for it and having missed out five years against Spain, so to have the opportunity this time to show what we can do on the world stage is massive for me as an individual and for us as a team.”
It was a timely result for Scotland as well, as they look to build and develop into the upcoming Six Nations Championship.
“I’ve been there for a long time and every season, we seem to be building and getting closer as a team. We’ve got really good backing from Scottish Rugby Union as well, so we’re growing every year,” explained Rollie. “We’ve got confidence and belief now as well. We just want to do well and show that we can perform in the Six Nations and in the future.”
That Six Nations tournament, as well as the World Cup, will give Rollie the opportunity to take to the field against several of her club teammates. Whilst the full-back admitted that she “like to try and wind them up a bit,” during games, she couldn’t hide her joy at potentially experiencing a world cup alongside her clubmates.
“Obviously we’ve got so many nationalities here and yes, you’re there with Scotland but being at the tournament with your club teammates as well, it’s something to really enjoy and have a good time with. Whether you’re playing against your teammates or with them, it’s always a privilege.”
For now though, attention for Rolle is very much on domestic affairs. With the Chiefs riding high in the league and hunting for a play-off spot, Rollie has been thrilled with how her first season in Exeter has gone.
“We’ve been doing really well. As a squad here, we’re really building. Our end goal is to be top four but also to win it. For me personally, to win the league again would be massive,” Rollie mused. “But at the moment, we just need to focus on getting into that top four and ticking over. It’s about getting those performances that we want and building on the things that maybe haven’t gone quite so well.”
Rollie admitted that the result away at play-off rivals Loughborough Lightning had been “difficult to take,” but was delighted at seeing how well her side brushed off that disappointment last weekend against Worcester Warriors.
“We need to build now. I watched the Worcester game, and the girls were so good at spotting where the gaps were. They utilised the best in attack and in defence and got that win that was deserved.”
Today’s match against DMP Durham Sharks will be Rollie’s last appearance for the Chiefs before again returning to the Scotland camp ahead of the Six Nations.
Whilst DMP sit at the bottom of the table, Rollie credited them as a side with “amazing heart.”
“DMP are a good team. They’ve got amazing players. Having that heart in your side can take you anywhere, so it’s certainly not going to be an easy ride. They always fight, but we need to stick to our processes and play as a squad, just like last weekend against Worcester.”
Rollie also admitted that she wished she could have been involved more with the side this season, with international duty stopping her from putting together a string of matches in a Chiefs shirt. Now though, she hopes to build and “earn her spot in the team,” as the season reaches its crescendo.
“I’m loving my time here. It’s been really good so far. I wish I could have been here more than I’ve been able to. But, with international duty, that’s what happens. Now, I want to keep building from here and get my feet flat on the ground. I want to earn my spot in this team and keep building from there.”
With the league more competitive than ever, Rollie also sees the development of the Allianz Premier 15s as a huge boost for women’s rugby, with nearly every side capable of winning on their day.
“Every week you go into a game, and you don’t know what’s going to happen. Teams change week in week out and that’s testament to how the teams and the league are building. It’s massive for women’s rugby too to see that span of good teams across the league.”