Neil and Morven Cattigan have said the Scottish Rugby Union has behaved 'dishonourably' in organising a tribute for their daughter, Siobhan, almost 18 months on from her death.
Former Scotland flanker Siobhan died in November 2021 at the age of 26, having earned 19 caps for her country. The late Stirling County star's parents have suggested in the past her death was due to head trauma she suffered while playing rugby.
And the rift between the Cattigans and the SRU appears to have been opened anew after a Twitter account belonging to Morven aired their grievances with Sunday's pre-match tribute. Scotland host Ireland at Murrayfield in the penultimate round of the men's Six Nations, but the appeal said the SRU's tribute didn't measure up, as well as accusing the body of losing Cattigan's personalised jersey.
“We asked that Siobhan's picture be shown on the big screen and homage paid to her, as would be the case for a male player (or Dr/Physio etc),” read the thread. “We asked if her 'Shibby 8' top could be laid on the pitch. On Tues we were advised that Siobhan's photo would be displayed alongside a picture of a rugby top with 'Shibby 8' superimposed onto it.
"After further dialogue it appears that they have lost the original top, which Siobhan's teammates kindly took to [New Zealand] with them for the World Cup [in late 2022]. No top will be laid on the pitch."
Scottish Rugby has refuted the suggestion Cattigan's jersey has been lost and told Mirror Sport it's being "safely stored" at present. It also explained a memorial will be placed in the "long-established space in the matchday programme," which was also used to commemorate the death of former international Ken Scotland when Scotland beat Wales last month.
The critique went on to question the timing of the tribute, which is set to take place 10 minutes before kick-off, "whilst the players are inside." It's common practice for such tributes in the men's game to take place before the national anthems, shortly prior to kick-off when venues are typically at their fullest.
The Cattigans said they informed Scottish Rugby they felt the planned tribute was "dishonourable." They replied by requesting the tribute take place "per normal proceedings with everyone seated, tv cameras & audience focused on the pitch, players lined up before the anthems," but that appeal has been refused.
Cattigan's death occurred at a time when head injuries in rugby are receiving increased attention, with legal proceedings launched against World Rugby, the RFU and WRU by a group of almost 200 former players last year. Despite pressure being applied for an independent inquiry to be launched regarding Cattigan's cause of death, the SRU has since only enlisted a legal firm to undertake a 'fact-finding mission'.
“As part of the pre-match presentation the crowd will be asked to stand for a minute’s applause to acknowledge Siobhan, while her picture and a shirt carrying the “Shibby 8” wording are displayed," read an SRU response to the Cattigans' appeal. "Scottish Rugby also remains open to developing a cup or bursary in Siobhan’s memory, to be determined in conjunction with her family, as per their previous request.”
