Loughborough Lightning have completed the signing of Scotland international Leia Brebner-Holden.
The 22-year-old was drafted into the Lightning squad in the build-up to the weekend’s 36-17 victory over Sale Sharks, where she made her debut as a second-half substitute.
Born in Taunton, Leia qualifies for Scotland through her mother Lorna and made her senior international debut in July 2024 against Wales.
The scrum-half’s most recent of five caps came in the WXV 2 title decider against Australia – a match that featured five of her future Lightning teammates in the matchday squad; Helen Nelson, Rachel Malcolm, Christine Belisle, Anne Young and Elis Martin.
Her rugby journey began at UAE Sand Cats U15s and U18s before returning to the United Kingdom where she earned rugby scholarships to Hartpury College AASE and Hartpury University.
Prior to breaking into the senior Scotland set-up, she spent time with the U20s, and also won the Women’s National Championship two years running with Cheltenham Tigers – where she spent time on loan from parent club Gloucester-Hartpury.
“I’m really looking forward to a new challenge with Loughborough Lightning,” she said. “It was great to start my time off with the club with a victory on Saturday and I am looking forward to pushing on together and up the table in the coming weeks.”
Lightning head coach Nathan Smith said: “Leia fits our recruitment strategy of being a young, high-potential player who is going to improve our environment here at the club.
“There’s going to be tremendous competition for places for the number nine jersey, but that is only going to drive up her standards and her fellow scrum-halves.”
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