Wheelchair Rugby League: Scotland vs Ireland
Scotland vs Ireland, Wheelchair Rugby League. Credit: Louise Anderbjörk
Last Saturday, October 18th, Herriot Watt’s Oriam Performance Centre in Edinburgh hosted a senior international wheelchair rugby league fixture between Scotland and Ireland. For both nations, this match represented an important step in the preparations towards the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup in Australia next year.
Hosting the games in Edinburgh meant home turf for the majority of Scotland’s players. Six of the nine Scots, including substitutes, came from the Edinburgh Giants Wheelchair Rugby League Club; a team that recently made history by becoming the first Scottish club to compete in the UK Wheelchair Rugby League Super League. For me as the match photographer, this was particularly exciting as I volunteer with the Edinburgh Giants in my free time, and it was great to see the players I work with on a weekly basis represent their country on the international stage.
To start the day, I arrived at Oriam around 10:30 in the morning, giving myself time to adjust to the venue and its lighting, and to test different lenses and angles before the action began. As I completed these quiet pre-game preparations and the players warmed up, the stands began to fill with a mix of Irish and Scottish supporters.
At 11 a.m., the action began with the A game between the nations’ reserve sides. What followed was 80 minutes of relentless play, with Ireland ultimately dominating 68 to 8. Irish player Jack Mangan stood out with an impressive six tries, setting the tone for what was shaping up to be a strong day for the visitors.
Scotland vs Ireland, Wheelchair Rugby League. Credit: Louise Anderbjörk
After a short break, both senior teams took to the pitch for the one o’clock main event. Scotland, eager to improve on their earlier defeat and their last meeting with Ireland at the Celtic Cup, came out determined. For much of the first half, the game was close, and Scotland went into halftime trailing by just 12 to 6. However, in the second half, fatigue began to show, giving Ireland an opportunity to pull ahead to a final score of 58-6.
From behind the camera, this unique pace of the game makes wheelchair rugby league one of the most thrilling sports to capture. The speed on the court is incredible, with the ball easily transitioning from one wing to another seconds, and every tackle, pass, or breakaway demanding full attention. At times, the pace is so high it is hard to even track where the next play is unfolding. That is when having worked with many of the Scotland players before became a huge advantage, as I was already familiar with their unique movement patterns and even some of their game play calls. Hearing those cues helped me anticipate the next play, which more often than not turned out to be the key to catching that perfect shot.
That familiarity is, to me, the most rewarding part of sports photography. The deeper you understand the game and its rhythm, the better your images become. Equally, working closely with teams allows you to sense their tactics, anticipate transitions, and capture not just the action but the emotion and strategy within it.
Scotland vs Ireland, Wheelchair Rugby League. Credit: Louise Anderbjörk
Still, facing Ireland, a team I had never photographed before, added a layer of unpredictability. Their attacking structure was different from what I had grown used to with Scotland, especially near the try line. Every sequence demanded quick decisions: should I stay behind the line for that decisive try shot, or shift sideways to catch the defense in motion? Sometimes, that gamble meant having two full teams charging directly toward you at high speed, often circling around you to get back into play even when I was placed as far behind the try line as I could be.
By the end of the day, as the teams shook hands and supporters filtered out of the hall, I scrolled through my shots, and started the initial culling on my way back home. Despite the final scores, Scotland’s spirit had been unmistakable and it was amazing to see that I had been able to really capture that in the photos I took. For me, it was not just another match but a front-row seat to world-class competition, viewed through the eyes of both a supporter and a photographer.
Covering this international fixture was a reminder of why I love photographing this sport. Behind every try, every tackle, and every shout from the court is a story of resilience and teamwork, and capturing those moments one frame at a time is what makes it all worth it.
Scotland vs Ireland, Wheelchair Rugby League. Credit: Louise Anderbjörk