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DUWRFC Spotlights, Past and Present

5 April 2023
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Durham University Women's Rugby Club are holding their own in the world of rugby, with players from across the field demonstrating their power and efforts, to make it internationally. Read on for spotlights on our alumni, as well as current students representing the club, on behalf of their respective countries.

Former Durham University student and DUWRFC athlete, Maelle Picut, made her debut for France last week. Picut is on the bench this week, as Ireland host France in Round 2 of the TikTok Women's Six Nations at Musgrave Park. Last season, Picut captained DUWRFC, lifting the WNL League Title. 

Alumna Beth Blacklock and also made her first official debut for Scotland last week, during the 2023 TikTok Women's Six Nations opener at Kingston Park. Blacklock started playing rugby whilst at Durham University and previously played for Premier 15s side, DMP Sharks, before joining Harlequins ahead of the 2020/21 season. Player profile here.

Blacklock was welcomed to the same team as Coreen Grant, another alumna to Durham University and DUWRFC. Grant first played rugby at Royal High School, Edinburgh, and joined Murrayfield Wanderers aged 16. Grant represented Scotland at U20 level in a match against Belgium Ladies in 2015. She then went on to play for Durham whilst studying English Literature; captaining the team through to BUCS semi-finals. Grant took a gap year to study in Australia, going on to win the Victoria State Cup with Melbourne Unicorns, before returning to Durham for her final year. She acted as vice-captain of the side which reached the BUCS final at Twickenham in 2019, and twice won silver with Durham at the BUCS Sevens tournament. During this time at Durham she played club rugby in the Tyrell Premiership for Darlington Mowden Park Sharks. She was called up to train with Scotland Women at the start of the 2019/2020 season. Her first match day call up came in February 2020 in the rearranged match against England in the Women’s Six Nations. Grant made her debut in the 2021 Women’s Six Nations, having come off the bench in Scotland’s home fixture against Italy. Player profile here.

Meanwhile, current second year, Izzy Hannay, was selected for Scotland 'Futures'; otherwise known as Scotland's development team. Hannay scored against England's U20s, and will be back to Durham next year for her third year of her Law degree.