Page 49 of Scrum Heat

Well. Maybe more women and girls will start watching, start following, start showing up.

Maybe they’ll see there’s space for them here, too.

But to reach those people, we need content that works; content that hooks people in and makes them stay.

Which brings me to our first six-foot-something, green-eyed, tan-skinned rugby golden retriever.

This afternoon, we’re filming the first in what I’m calling our Player Profiles series. Quick-fire Q&A, mini-games, soft lighting, some banter, and a lot of edited-out swearing. The vibe is casual. Playful. Flattering enough that the sponsors will be happy, but loose enough to keep the fans engaged.

And my first victim?

Finn Whitaker.

Because if there’s one man on this team the cameraloves, it’s Mr. Sunshine-and-Thighs himself.

He shows up to the media room freshly showered, floppy blond hair slightly damp, wearing a snug gray Alderbridge tee and a smile so disarming I almost forget how to function.

Almost.

“All ready?” he asks, bouncing lightly on his heels.

“Nope,” I deadpan. “I’m terrified. You?”

There’s a pause. He studies me, like he’s trying to work out if I’m serious.

“Nervous,” he says carefully. “But… excited?”

“Of the two of us, I think only one is allowed to say that while wearing a shirt that tight.”

He blinks. Then blushes. “It’s not that tight.”

“It’s a second skin, Finn,” I laugh.

He grins. “Thank you?”

I grin. “I’m just kidding. You’ll be great.”

He laughs, a little sheepish. “I’m still not used to when you’re joking.”

“Good,” I say. “Keeps you humble.”

Harper’s already waiting for us by the pitch. She’s one of the club’s interns, short and brunette with killer eyeliner and a constant expression of polite, simmering judgment. She’s been helping out on media days and is possibly the most efficient person I’ve ever met.

“You’re two minutes behind schedule,” she says, without looking up from her phone screen.

“Hi to you too, Harper,” I mutter.

She smirks. “Rolling whenever you’re ready.”

We get into position at the side of the pitch. It’s a warm, sunny afternoon, and in the background, the reserve squad’s going through light drills. There’s the sound of boots on turf, whistles, and someone yelling about form. It all blends into a kind of soft,sporty white noise that’s both aesthetically pleasing and mildly chaotic.

The camera rolls, and the video starts with rapid-fire questions—his favorite post-match meal, the weirdest fan gift he’s ever received, and his pre-game ritual. Finn answers them all with the enthusiasm of a golden retriever on a double shot of espresso, and I’m pleasantly surprised at how much of a natural he is at this.

We play aFinish the Teammate’s Sentencegame, where he tries to complete famous Theo quotes. He gets three right, two wrong. Onemightinvolve a little too much detail about Theo’s compression shorts legacy, but I know it’ll increase the engagement.

I laugh along, but he laughs harder. And somewhere in the middle of it, I forget I’m on camera.

Even Harper cracks a smile.

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