The dynamic number 8 – who has also selflessly stepped into the second row and even the front row when her team needed her – has earned 73 caps for Scotland and will make a 74th appearance in Sunday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final.
She made her debut as a 19-year-old against England in the 2013 Six Nations and has since gone on to score 10 tries for her country, the first coming against Italy in 2015.
Born on the Black Isle, Konkel grew up in a sporting family with strong ties to rugby in the Inverness area. Alongside rugby, she also excelled in other sports including representing Highland Bears in basketball.
Despite limited pathways for girls’ rugby in her region at the time, Konkel’s determination saw her regularly travel long distances to pursue her passion. At just 17, she made a seven-hour round trip to Edinburgh for a development day, a commitment that led to her selection for the Scotland U20s programme.
A year later she was invited into the senior squad, and in 2013 – still a teenager – she made her international debut. During that time, Jade proudly represented the Glasgow side Hillhead Jordanhill, where she played whilst studying social work.
Jade Konkel in action for Scotland in the early years of her career.
In 2016, Konkel etched her name into history by becoming Scotland’s first-ever contracted professional women’s rugby player, a milestone that marked a new era for the sport. She then broadened her horizons by joining French side Lille Metropole Rugby Club Villeneuvois (LMRCV), before signing for Harlequins, where she remains a key figure as their club captain.
Konkel has represented Scotland twice on the World Rugby sevens circuit, at eleven Six Nations campaigns, the Rugby World Cup in 2021 and 2025, and twice at the World Rugby WXV2 competition, helping the side take the title in 2023. She reached the milestone of 50 caps against England in 2022.
Speaking on her time playing for Scotland, Konkel said: “It’s really hard to find the words because I’ve been in this squad since I was 18, that’s literally my entire adult life, and it’s because I have had the most incredible 13 years.
“The incredible players I have played with, the management and people behind the scenes, the places I have gone – you know I’m from the Highlands, a very small place on the Black Isle and never in my wildest dreams did I think I would play for Scotland, let alone move to France, move to London, and have so many incredible memories just from playing a sport.
“Yes, it’s come with the ups and downs, the injuries, but it’s also come with the best memories and ones I will be telling on my death bed because they are some of the most special memories that I will have in my whole entire life. That’s credit to the beautiful sport we play and the people that are in the environment as well.”
Discussing highlights of her international career, Konkel added: “When I started with the squad in 2013 we obviously had a run of tough losses. In 2017 we played Ireland in the opening match of the Six Nations and we were drawn 15-all, and in the last play of the game Ireland scored but it was the closest we had ever come to beating them, and it was just kind of the start of a really good campaign. We beat Wales at home the next 18-17, and that was the first time I had ever won in a Six Nations in a Scotland shirt. It was just absolutely incredible, the emotion was through the roof for everybody. That game really meant a lot.
“But to top that, it would have to be the Ireland game in our Rugby World Cup Qualifier in Italy. Obviously we had missed out on the last two, and when we finally beat them, it was very much a case of realising we had one more hurdle. And we’d been working so hard, for many years to get to one.”
Scotland’s Jade Konkel in action during an Autumn Test match between Scotland Women and Fiji at Hive Stadium in 2024.
Signing off on her time, Jade added her thanks to the fans and supporters along her 13-year-long career, saying: “I remember starting at Broadwood with hardly anyone in the stands, to now be playing in sold-out stadiums, whether it’s been at Hive or here in this World Cup. Thank you for all the messages, the outpouring of love for the game, as players it has never gone unnoticed. One of my favourite things is to meet fans after a game, to thank them for coming along.
“My final message is simply, keep watching, keep supporting and thank you for everything over the last 13 years.”
Paying tribute to her contribution, Scotland Women Head Coach Bryan Easson said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Jade for her outstanding contribution and commitment to Scotland over the years.
“She has been a trailblazer for the women’s game, setting new standards through her professionalism, leadership and dedication on and off the pitch. Her influence over the last decade has been invaluable to the squad, both in terms of performances and the support she has given her teammates.
“On behalf of the players, staff and management, I want to wish Jade every success in the next chapter of her journey. She is an incredible person and player, and she leaves an incredible legacy.”
Jade will continue her rugby journey with Harlequins, captaining them in the PWR while also serving with the London Fire Brigade, balancing two roles that reflect her resilience, strength, and determination to make an impact both on and off the pitch.