Leia Brebner-Holden

Last updated

Leia Brebner-Holden
Date of birth (2002-05-26) 26 May 2002 (age 23)
Place of birth Taunton, Somerset, England
Height1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
Weight63 kg (139 lb; 9 st 13 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrum-half
Current team Loughborough Lightning
Amateur team(s)
YearsTeamApps(Points)
Al Ain Amblers ()
UAE Sand Cats ()
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
–2024 Cheltenham Tigers Women ()
2023–2024 Gloucester-Hartpury ()
2024– Loughborough Lightning ()
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
Scotland U20
2024– Scotland 3 (0)
Correct as of 4 October 2024

Leia Brebner-Holden (born 26 May 2002), is an English born Scottish rugby union player who often plays Scrum-half. She plays for Gloucester-Hartpury in Premiership Women's Rugby, Cheltenham Tigers Women in the English second division, as well as the Scotland national team.

Contents

Early life and career

Brebner-Holden was born in Taunton, Somerset to an English father and a Scottish mother, She began playing rugby union in the United Arab Emirates, with the Al Ain Amblers club at age 9 and she also played for the UAE Sand Cats. [1] When she returned to the UK, she earned rugby scholarships with Hartpury College and University. [1] She then went on to join Gloucester-Hartpury where she was dual-registered with local second division club Cheltenham Tigers Women. [2]

Rugby career

Brebner-Holden was selected for Scotland's 2024 Six Nations squad, where head coach Bryan Easson considered her to be "the 24th/25th player in the team", on the doorstep of the selection. [3] [4] During the summer of 2024, she played with the Scottish Under-20 team at the Six Nations Summer Series in Italy. [5] [1] She was named in the squad for the 2024 WXV 2 tournament. [6]

Brebner-Holden won her first cap in a warm-up match against Wales [7] and made her first starting XV's appearance in Scotland's last game of the tournament proper against Australia. [8] [9] In October 2024, she joined Loughborough Lightning. [10]

She was named in Scotland's squad for the 2025 Six Nations Championship in March. [11] [12] She was also selected in the Scottish side for the Women's Rugby World Cup in England. [13] [14]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Leia Brebner-Holden". Scottish Rugby. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  2. Halliwell, Mark (22 February 2024). "Gloucester-Hartpury surge to top after sinking Sale - women's rugby round-up". Gloucestershire Live. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  3. "Scotland Women's Six Nations squad 2024 - Smith in at 15". Rugby World. 25 April 2024. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  4. Heatly, Gary (5 September 2024). "Scotland women and the 14 month journey – the Wales week: Young backs Brebner-Holden and Scott backed to take chance if it comes off the bench – GH Media". GH Media. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  5. "Gunderson and Brebner-Holden return for final Summer Series match against Ireland". Scottish Rugby. 12 July 2024. Archived from the original on 12 July 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  6. "Scotland squad named for WXV 2 competition". Scottish Rugby. 27 August 2024. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  7. "Leia Brebner-Holden: Scotland debut against Wales 'unbelievable' for scrum-half". BBC Sport. 7 September 2024. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  8. "Brebner-Holden starts for Scots in Aussie decider". BBC Sport. 10 October 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  9. "Brebner-Holden set to make first start against Australia". Scottish Rugby. 10 October 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  10. "News // Lightning sign Scotland scrum-half Leia Brebner-Holden". Northampton Saints. Loughborough Lightning. 21 October 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  11. Gould, Caitlin (19 February 2025). "Scotland squad announced for 2025 Guinness Women's Six Nations". Scottish Rugby. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  12. Thomas, Martyn (19 February 2025). "Nine uncapped players in Scotland's Women's Six Nations squad". www.rugbypass.com. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  13. "Scotland squad named for Women's Rugby World Cup 2025". Scottish Rugby Union. 7 August 2025. Archived from the original on 7 August 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  14. "Scotland names RWC 2025 squad". Rugby World Cup 2025 England. 8 July 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.