ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Scotland's Emma Orr preparing for 'dream' Bristol debut after ban delay

BY Sarah Rendell  ·  Monday Oct 28, 2024

Scotland international Emma Orr says it will be a “dream come true” to make her debut for Bristol Bears in the Premiership Women’s Rugby on Friday.

ADVERTISEMENT

Orr’s signing was announced back in May. The 21-year-old, who is regarded as one of the best current centres in the world, was not with the club at the start of the season because she was away on WXV 2 duty. She then received a red card in the final game of the tournament against Australia for a dangerous tackle.

Orr was subsequently handed a two-week ban. This meant her debut for Bristol was delayed but she is set to run out in the west country side’s colours on Friday night against Harlequins.

She told Rugby Dump on the thought of her first Bristol game: “It would be amazing, it would be a dream come true. I am so excited, it is almost the next chapter in my rugby journey so I’m excited to get started with the girls and see how it goes.

“I was absolutely gutted [about the red card], it wasn’t how I wanted my WXV tournament to end. However, after taking time to reflect I think hindsight is a wonderful thing.

“The ban has given me time to come to terms with it and help the team prepare. It has taken the pressure off of me a little bit as well. The fact I’m training and I know I don’t have the pressure of playing, so I feel a lot more comfortable with the calls and plays. I think every cloud has a silver lining, that’s how I have been looking at it. I really miss rugby, it has only been two weeks but I can’t wait to get started.”

Emma Orr
Emma Orr in action for Scotland (Getty Images)
ADVERTISEMENT

Orr’s move to Bristol came after she finished her degree in Agriculture. She grew up on a sheep farm in Biggar and hopes to work in the industry after her time playing rugby is over.

Orr, who says she has researched local farms in the Bristol area to visit, has moved away from home for the first time. She says her Scotland teammates who also play for Bristol are like a second family and they played a part in her signing for the club.

“I spoke to some other [PWR] clubs but it was mainly just through my Scotland teammates, to speak to what their experience were at different clubs,” Orr says.

“I also love the style of rugby that is played here and I thought it would suit my skillset and areas I want to develop as well. After speaking to the girls and hearing how great it was I was like ‘Bristol is where I want to go’.”

ADVERTISEMENT

It was the PWR itself which made Orr want to move to England. The high standard of rugby in the league caught her eye before she researched which club to join.

Orr adds: “I think it’s got good strong teams. I think the level of rugby here, it is probably the best women’s rugby league in the world. I thought it would be silly to not come and give it a try, I was drawn to it after hearing about what the Scotland girls said about playing in the league.

“Playing week-in week-out at such a high level is hopefully going to be good for my rugby and develop me as a player and a person. Moving from home, it is going to bring challenges on and off the rugby pitch in terms of being away from home for the first time. I’m really excited.”

Related Articles

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    Infante retires after emphatic Saracens win over Gloucester-Hartpury

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    Bok swap - Montpellier reportedly chasing Cobus Reinach replacement

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    Former player takes bizarre aims Clermont coach with late night tweet



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 4 HOURS AGO

    Young England hopeful continues to impress with double against Stade Français

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Full throttle Premiership final rematch ends in heartache

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Springbok star scores screamer on debut for Sagamihara Dynaboars

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

View All

Funnies

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

View All

Amateur

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 105 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 105 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 128 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

View All

Player Features

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

View All