McGillivray ready to take centre stage

By Harry Scott-Munro 
26/11/21

Centre Nancy McGillivray is determined to continue to make the most of her opportunities as she prepares to make her first Allianz Premier 15s start for Exeter Chiefs against Loughborough Lightning at Sandy Park tomorrow (3pm).

Buoyed by two impressive displays for the Devonians in the Allianz Cup, the 19-year-old admitted that she “was quite shocked” to have been selected to play, but credited her team-mates for making her feel at home in the jersey.

“It was really good, I loved playing with the girls," she said. "I was quite shocked to be starting 12 in the Cup, but I loved it and all the girls helped me settle in.”

McGillivray is one of a number of current Exeter University students that are part of Head Coach Susie Appleby’s side - with the young centre explaining how the camaraderie between the group has helped her bed into the Chiefs set-up.

“I’m really excited to be playing this week with the girls again. I’ve definitely become really close with all the university girls and it’s made the transition a lot easier form university to Chiefs,” she explained. “We all bounce off each other and are always talking about rugby, which is great!”

McGillivray will be a part of a Chiefs backline that includes fellow Exeter University students Flo Robinson and Merryn Doidge with the centre hoping that their understanding of each other's play will help the side at Sandy Park.

“I was quite shocked to still be part of the line-up, but it’s definitely going to be different. With Flo at 10 and then myself at 12 and Merryn at 13, I think it should be good, as we all work well together and we’re all quite young!”

McGillivray is expecting a tough test from Loughborough Lightning though, expressing her excitement at coming up against international players and testing how well her side can impose their structure on the game.

“It’s really exciting. Loughborough will be a tough game. They’ve got really good international players, but I think if we just stick to our structure and play how we play, then it should be a good game.”

Having moved to the United Kingdom from Hong Kong in the summer, McGillivray has also transitioned from fly-half to inside centre. Reflecting on her first few months in Devon, McGillivray was keen to highlight her joy at being at Exeter University, as well as how comfortable she has felt at inside centre.

“I absolutely love it! I only moved to the UK in May, so it’s definitely been a different environment. But I love being at the university, it’s amazing. I think since moving to the UK, I see myself now as more of a 12 now, especially within this team. I feel like I’ve really settled into that position.”