5 days ago
Fletcher proud to be named Scotland's Summer Series MVP
Scotland's Poppy Fletcher was bursting with pride at being named her country's MVP for the recent Six Nations Women's Summer Series.
The 21-year-old was ever-present for Scotland during the competition in Caerphilly, demonstrating her prowess in the front row time and again during games against Wales, England and Ireland.
However, the award came as a surprise to Fletcher, with the prop quickly hailing the impacts of other players who she felt were equally deserving of the honour.
'I didn't really expect it at all,' said Fletcher, who plays for the University of Edinburgh and is in her second year studying applied sports science. 'Being up against the likes of Ceitidh Ainsworth, who played out of her skin and controls the game, and Poppy Mellanby, who is a shining star and incredible, so to win is very exciting.
'[This award] is so important because it's voted for by the management, players and the team around you. I think that makes it even more special and it's really lovely to hear.'
This has been the second incarnation of the Women's Summer Series, a tournament designed to give U20s players the opportunity to play more competitive rugby to help with their development, with the first edition being played in Italy in 2024,
And despite results not going Scotland's way during their time in South Wales, losing all three of their encounters, Fletcher believes the age-group competition is a great platform for players to showcase their skills.
🏴 Scotland Women's U20s head coach Louise Dalgliesh is proud of her players' development throughout the 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series despite failing to win any of their three games.
Read more ➡️ #U6NSummerSeries
— Six Nations Under-20s (@SixNationsU20) July 21, 2025
'The Summer Series is crazy important, especially representing your country at age grade,' she continued.
"We've got the Celtic Challenge, but having the 20s means younger girls can play with those girls that have played in the Celtic Challenge and so it's a nice in that everyone can play.
'And this competition offers rugby on an international stage, so it's pretty cool to be able to put out your best performances where people can see.'
With the Women's Rugby Cup set to kick-off in Sunderland next month, Fletcher believes the age-grade tournament was the perfect start to an important summer of women's rugby.
Fletcher said: 'It's a massive summer of women's sport and it's so exciting. The World Cup is going to be so good, and I think a lot of girls could have a great chance of getting into those World Cup squads yet to be announced.
'And although some squads have already been named, players can get called up for any reason. I think a lot of girls have put in performances [at the Women's Summer Series] that mean they could be on the side lines ready to be picked.'
Fletcher also reflected that her experience of the tournament will stand her in good stead for the future as she looks to kick-on with her career.
'[Playing in the Women's Summer Series] will help me for sure,' she added. 'I've played against some big names during it. I remember the England game, when I was coming out and I was like, 'Oh my God, I'm about to be scrumming down against Grace Clifford, she's been in Red Roses squads before'.
'Playing U20s with some of those types of faces is pretty insane. I'll massively look back at this as it was the best experience ever.'
