The family of late Scotland international Siobhan Cattigan has criticised the Scottish Rugby Union for failing to meet over their request for an independent inquiry into her death.
Cattigan died aged 26 in November 2021 and her parents, Morven and Neil, and partner Ann Taylor believe two head injuries were the root cause. The case forms part of a wide-ranging lawsuit against rugby union’s governing bodies.
A family statement was released in the wake of the resignation of Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Steve Phillips on Sunday amid separate allegations of misogyny, sexism, racism and homophobia that have rocked the sport.
The WRU scandal came after Edinburgh-based Liberton RFC faced allegations of racism, misogyny and homophobia after cutting their women’s team.
The family’s statement read: “Given the appalling situation faced within Welsh Rugby and Liberton Rugby in Scotland, where brave women and men have stood up, shared their experiences and demanded change, there is no better opportunity for the whole Scottish Rugby community to do the same.
“Sexism, bullying and intimidation are most definitely not confided to local rugby clubs, sadly it also happens at elite levels and Scottish Rugby’s chief executive Mark Dodson and others at the top of the game can lead the way if they want to by doing the right thing for the right reason, a start would
be by allowing an independent inquiry to take place.”
The statement added: “In the 14 months since our cherished daughter’s passing we are still no further forward in seeking the answers from Scottish Rugby about the events which led to Siobhan’s tragic and avoidable passing.
“MSP Sue Webber reached out to us and after we met, she arranged a meeting with Mr Dodson. We were hopeful questions could be posed, answers provided and arrangements for an independent inquiry that is so desperately necessary be set in motion.
“Could he not find an hour in his schedule in over two months to discuss what we firmly believe to be a totally avoidable tragedy and what no-one should want to become a stain on Scottish Rugby?
“The reason given for the second cancellation was they were too busy because of the Six Nations, but surely that would have been obvious when it was arranged. It would be too cynical to think the meeting was set up knowing there was a ready-made reason for calling it off.
“Our beautiful daughter mattered more than life to us, and she lost hers playing under the flag Mr Dodson will once again be representing in the Six Nations.
“Continuing to ignore us and brazenly refusing to meet with an MSP is dishonouring Siobhan’s memory. She gave almost five years of her life playing for Scotland. She matters, she always has and always will and her beautiful kind heart, pure soul and incredible talent deserves to be remembered
and revered. She deserves to be honoured. We are not going away.”
The Stirling County player made 19 appearances for Scotland.
The statement finished: “It is inconceivable that Scottish Rugby would not mark the passing of a current international, and it is not too late to honour her. Recognition of her life and contribution before one of the Six Nations Games is the absolute least they can do.
“Siobhan always has and always will make us the proudest parents, our champion and hero and that we have to beg and plead for her to be acknowledged is an insult to her memory and heartbreakingly painful for us.”
The SRU stated that it was committed to setting up a meeting within the next two weeks with both the MSP’s office and its own in contact throughout in a bid to find a suitable date.
