After Scotland defeated Italy on Saturday the biggest smile came from winger Rhona Lloyd in Parma after she was awarded her 50th cap by captain Rachel Malcolm.
Since she made her debut against England at Broadwood as a 19-year-old that smile has not been far away because, through all the ups and the downs that there have been, the now 27-year-old just loves playing for Scotland.
And her family love watching her play for Scotland, indeed mum Lea, dad Robert and brother Callum having followed her journey all the way from a taster session at Tynecastle High School via Murrayfield Wanderers, age-grade teams, Edinburgh University, Loughborough Lightning, Les Lionnes du Stade Bordelais, the national sevens and XVs team and GB Sevens.
Here they pay tribute to her rugby career to date after she reached the half century milestone during the ongoing Guinness Women’s Six Nations…
“She loves being part of a team and loves the friendships she has accumulated through sport”
Mum Lea and dad Robert said: “Rhona has always loved sport and took part in cross country, basketball and netball as a youngster, but got interested in rugby after a visit from Scotland cap Sarah Quick to Tynecastle High School in Edinburgh.
“After that Rhona started training with Murrayfield Wanderers, caught the rugby bug and never looked back.
“Rhona has always wanted to do the best at anything she gets involved with.
“She loves being part of a team and loves the friendships she has accumulated through sport.
“We always knew she had a drive to succeed in her goal but never at the start of her career did we think she’d make it to 50 caps for Scotland. To receive her first one all those years ago was so special but to see her get her 50th was a magical moment for us all.”
Rhona was part of the Scotland under-18 team that beat the RAF women’s team and she scored five tries at that one while she was captain of the winning under-18 Cup team with Murrayfield Wanderers and was also part of the club’s senior team that won the Sarah Beaney Cup in the same season, so it is perhaps no surprise that her first full Scottish cap came so young.
Lea added: “With her dad being Welsh and a big rugby fan he encouraged Rhona from the start of her rugby journey and took her to all the events and I would go along too to support and cheer on from the sidelines.
“Her brother Callum is also very proud of his sister and always knew that Rhona would play for Scotland. It has always been a family joke that despite her nana being English, her dad being Welsh and me being Scottish, Scotland was always where her rugby boots would take her!”
Currently Rhona is dual contracted with Scottish Rugby and GB Sevens and, with the latter squad, she has also produced some stunning displays over the last wee while.
“She has always wanted to be an Olympian and it’s a goal I hope she achieves and I am very proud of her,” Robert said with the next Olympics in Paris just a few months away.
“Rhona always strives to be the best at whatever she does and we really are very proud of her achievements.”
“I’ve always been immensely proud of Rhona”
Brother Callum said of the Team Scotland Commonwealth Games 2022 athlete who has 22 XVs tries for Scotland: “I’ve always been immensely proud of Rhona.
“She’s someone who likes a challenge and isn’t afraid to get involved and put herself forward for things.
“She keeps herself extremely busy with her rugby, her coaching and her ukulele playing.
“I’m not very into sport, but I am when Rhona’s playing and always really enjoy watching her play.”
Thanks to the Lloyd family for the images
During the Guinness Women’s Six Nations period through to the end of April, GH Media will be covering all aspects of women’s rugby in Scotland via reports, features and interviews…
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