Brebner-Holden’s ‘absolutely crazy’ year delivers another milestone

Plenty has happened in Leia Brebner-Holden’s world in the past six months. 

The Taunton-born scrum-half, who spent her formative rugby years in the United Arab Emirates, made her senior Scotland international debut in July 2024 before touring South Africa and moving to five caps during WXV 2.

Upon the conclusion of that tournament, the 22-year-old made the switch from Gloucester-Hartpury to Loughborough Lightning with immediate effect, coming off the bench against Sale Sharks to make her debut in 36-17 victory at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

Seven further appearances came as a replacement before another milestone arrived last weekend as she made her first Lightning start against Exeter Chiefs, which was also her maiden outing from the run out of a Premiership Women’s Rugby game. 

“The amount of change that has happened for me rugby wise over the last year has been absolutely crazy,” she said. “The trajectory I am going on is so, so exciting. 

“Growing up, rugby was just a hobby and something I really enjoyed doing and for it to come this far is unexpected, but I also couldn't be more grateful.”

Brebner-Holden had been replaced by the club’s all-time leading appearance maker Meg Davey by the time Lightning fell just short of marking her first start with a victory over Exeter Chiefs last time out. 

While disappointed not to come away with four points, was pleased to tick another achievement off on her rugby career. 

“It was really nice to get some game time in and get a PWR start,” she said. “I have not been involved in the PWR for that long, this is my first proper season so to get a start felt really good.

“I feel settled at Loughborough. It has been a really different experience. This year I have been able to really throw myself into the PWR and really involve myself as I am here full-time. Last year at Gloucester-Hartpury I was still working full-time so I wasn’t training as much as I could. It has been really good to get stuck in and be there full-time.

“Being able to play at a venue like cinch Stadium is unreal. Going from playing Championship rugby where you sometimes get 20 or 30 people at a game to being able to run out into a stadium every week feels great.”

If selected, Brebner-Holden will step onto another famous rugby ground on Saturday as Lightning take on Leicester Tigers in the East Midlands Derby at Mattioli Woods Welford Road (kick-off: 12.45pm).

She played in November’s reverse fixture at the Gardens and was on the pitch as the final whistle sounded on a 36-24 victory. The young scrum-half is aiming for more of the same this weekend.

“It’s another exciting challenge for us. We know it is going to be a fiercely-contested game and we will have to be at our very best to come away with the right result.

“We want to end the season well. The trajectory that we’re on and the way that we are building, the potential for next year is unreal.”