Pioneering former Biggar Rugby Club player Donna Kennedy has been inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in Monaco.

The 52-year-old was on Sunday one of five inductees into the Hall of Fame during an awards ceremony.

Kennedy played for the fledgling ladies’ side at Hartree Mill some 30 years ago, and those involved were ‘pioneers’ of women’s rugby, as Biggar were one of only two club sides at the time. Opponents were from university sides who had a steady stream of new talent each year.

Donna’s talent was quickly spotted and rewarded with a cap in Scotland Women’s first ever full international against Ireland, a 10-0 win on February 14, 1993.

Former Biggar High School pupil Kennedy was synonymous with the Scotland team for the first 20 years of its existence, and went on to win 115 caps and play in five World Cups.

She eventually signed off a 17-year career with a total of 115 caps, making her the most capped Scotland player ever – male or female.

Donna with four of this year's five inductees, DJ Forbes of New Zealand, Chris Laidlaw of New Zealand, and Sergio Parisse of Italy (not pictured, Emilee Cherry from Australia
Donna with four of this year’s five inductees, DJ Forbes of New Zealand, Chris Laidlaw of New Zealand, and Sergio Parisse of Italy (not pictured, Emilee Cherry from Australia (Image: World Rugby via Getty Images)

A spokesperson for Biggar said: “This is a wonderful achievement and one which recognises the huge impact Donna has had on women’s rugby and women in sport as a whole.

“Biggar Rugby Club is thrilled to see Donna recognised in this manner. She was inducted into Scottish Rugby’s Hall of Fame in 2017, and the club offers huge congratulations to her.”

Meanwhile, Biggar’s men’s 1st XV game against Dundee was postponed at the weekend as Storm Bert hit, leaving them with a frozen pitch at Hartree Mill.

Weather-permitting, they will try again with a trip to Peebles for a second derby crunch of the season.

With both sides looking to get clear of the dreaded National League 1 relegation places, there is everything to play for, but neither side will have played for a fortnight by that point.

A similar frosty fate befell Hamilton in their National League 4 game at Linlithgow, and they are due to host North Berwick at Laigh Bent on Saturday.

In West League 1, Dalziel v Bishopton and Strathaven v Annan both fell foul of the weather, and Strathaven are in action at Lenzie in the National Shield Third Round on Saturday.

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