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Welcome to the Players World Kitchen!

Players World Kitchen brings together elite athletes and culinary creativity, pairing the skills and stories of players with meals inspired by their lives, passions, and cultures. It’s food with a purpose, delicious, inspiring, and rooted in the values of teamwork and resilience.

Emma's Connection to Food

“Purely out of chance, this became far more than just a hobby. It became a huge part of my life.”

For Emma, food means comfort and connection. Just like rugby, it brings people together and fuels them for life’s toughest challenges.

Emma's Meal: Spaghetti & Steak Meatballs

Hearty, indulgent, and full of flavour, slow-cooked meatballs in a rich red wine, tomato, and rosemary sauce, served over spaghetti with mozzarella melted on top.

Recipe Card

Recreate Emma’s dish at home with this recipe card

Podcast Spotlight

In her Players World Kitchen podcast episode, Emma opens up about her incredible run of 54 consecutive Scotland caps, the resilience needed to bounce back from injury, and the growing professionalism of women’s rugby with host Judith Batchelar. Emma also shares her personal journey through family loss and health challenges, and the strength she found in her rugby community.

About Emma

Emma Wassell debuted for the Scottish national team in 2014 in the opening Six Nations match against Ireland and played in every subsequent national match until April 2022, a wrist injury calling a premature end to a record-shattering streak of 54 consecutive international appearances. Wassell played a key role in the decisive 59-3 victory against Columbia in February 2022, booking Scotland’s place in the Women’s Rugby World Cup for the first time since 2010 

She currently plays for Trailfinders Women in Premiership Women’s Rugby, signing from her previous club, Loughborough Lightning, and before that Corstorphine Cougars RFC, in 2021. Her first team was Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Wanderers, who encouraged her to try for the Scotland U20 team. 

Meet the Players

  • Bryony Cleall

    Bryony Cleall

    England international and Saracens stalwart Bryony Cleall brings power, leadership, and personality both on and off the pitch. In her Players World Kitchen journey, she reflects on her rugby roots, the mentors who shaped her career, and her love of bold, comforting food inspired by BBQ flavours and big family meals.

    Check out Bryony’s meal & episode

  • Carys Cox

    Carys Cox

    Wales international Carys Cox balances elite rugby with life beyond the pitch, bringing resilience and perspective to everything she does. In her Players World Kitchen story, she shares her journey from nursing shifts to professional sport, her love of comforting, flavour-packed food, and the mindset that keeps her grounded on and off the field.

    Check out Carys’s meal & episode

  • Poppy Cleall

    Poppy Cleall

    With over 60 England caps to her name, Poppy Cleall has been a driving force in the rise of women’s rugby. Her Players World Kitchen story explores resilience, sisterhood, and what it means to be part of a changing game — all paired with a love of hearty, no-nonsense food that brings people together.

    Check out Poppy’s meal & episode

  • Maud Muir

    Maud Muir

    A Red Roses regular and World Cup finalist, Maud Muir has risen quickly through the ranks of international rugby. Her Players World Kitchen story highlights the lessons learned through tough games, the importance of team culture, and her love of bold, satisfying food after a hard day on the pitch.

    Check out Maud’s meal & episode

  • Silvia Turani

    Silvia Turani

    Italian international Silvia Turani discovered rugby later than most, but embraced it with passion and purpose. In her Players World Kitchen journey, she speaks openly about her relationship with food, body confidence, and how rugby helped her reconnect with herself — all rooted in the flavours and traditions of her Italian upbringing.

    Check out Silvia’s meal & episode

  • Shaunagh Brown

    Shaunagh Brown

    Shaunagh Brown is the host of the Players World Kitchen podcast and brings a strong rugby background to every conversation. Having worked closely with players and performance environments, she understands the realities of life in elite sport and creates a relaxed, open space where athletes feel comfortable sharing their stories. From rugby journeys and personal challenges to food, identity, and life beyond the game, Shaunagh’s thoughtful approach helps bring out the human side of each player’s experience.

    Check out Shaunagh’s bio