INSPIRATIONAL Borderer Ally Ratcliffe was formally inducted into the Scottish Rugby Union Hall of Fame at Murrayfield last Saturday.

Capped six times by Scotland, the former Langholm, Waterloo and Carlisle player became the first female head coach of a men’s club first XV in Scotland in 2013 when she took over at Langholm.

And she helped establish youth infrastructures that are working to this day.

As Deputy Head at Hawick High School, she also provided invaluable guidance and help to a promising young rugby talent Lisa Thomson who is now a pivotal member of the Scotland Women’s team.

The ceremony took place in the President’s Suite at the home of Scottish Rugby and Ally was presented with her award by John Jeffrey who chairs the Hall of Fame Induction Panel.

She then took part in a question and answer session with Scotland’s all-time points’ record-holder Chris Paterson MBE to discuss her achievements in the game she loves.

Ally told the Border Telegraph: “I’m overwhelmed. It’s not sunk in yet and still doesn’t feel real. Saturday was absolutely incredible. I was invited onto the stage along with my husband Jason and our two-year-old daughter Ellie and presented with the really special and unique bronze cap on slate by John Jeffrey then Chris Paterson asked me a few questions.

“I recalled my first training session after taking over at Langholm at which four players turned up in the pouring rain and having to train in the gym then having to frantically telephone students in Edinburgh on Friday nights to arrange 15-players for the following days games. If we hadn’t been able to fulfil these fixtures than the club wouldn’t have survived and now Langholm fielded a seconds team for the first time in 11-years. It wasn’t just me though and I thanked everyone who played their part.

“When he asked ‘Why Rugby’ I told him that for me it’s about values, people and camaraderie.

“We then watched the game against South Africa and the atmosphere was amazing.”

After the game Ally returned to the President’s suite where she met rugby legends Tom Smith and Doddie Weir.

“I had my photo taken with Tom who has been fighting cancer and also spoke to Doddie whom I had first met 25-years ago when he presented a trophy at Langholm” she added. “It was an absolutely incredible day and I feel so proud and honoured.”