Latest news with #GreatBritainSevens
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lloyd 'in love with rugby again' after Olympic heartache
Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Scotland v Wales Venue: Salford Community Stadium Date: Saturday, 23 August Kick-off: 14:45 BST Coverage: Live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Online and BBC Sounds Rhona Lloyd's ultimate ambition as a sportswoman was to be an Olympian. The process of accepting that dream is now likely to go unfulfilled has been difficult. The Scotland wing has been a regular in the Great Britain Sevens squad for years. Having missed out on selection for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Lloyd set her sights on the Paris Games in 2024. To many she seemed like a strong contender, but when the squad was announced Lloyd was once again left on the outside looking in. It was a crushing blow, and one that prompted some self-reflection. "It's been a really challenging 12 months," Lloyd told the BBC's Scotland Rugby Podcast. "My one goal in rugby was to go to the Olympics. I think the realisation last summer that that's not happening, that I'm not going to achieve that, was really hard to come to terms with. "I think I'd probably built my identity around that a little bit." Wales sympathy for Scotland's contract woes Scotland lose 'exciting talent' Scott to broken hand 'Disruptive' Scotland build-up frustrates Malcolm 'I've realised I'm more than a rugby player' Speaking to Lloyd's Scotland team-mates in the aftermath of her Olympics heartache, it was clear the disappointment was felt not just by her, but the whole squad. Lloyd was embraced back into the national set-up, where more than one colleague has described her as the heartbeat of the side. Her passion and enthusiasm for representing Scotland is infectious and, while the Olympics is unlikely to be the career-defining moment she imagined, Lloyd has reset what she wants from her time playing international rugby. "This season, I've been on a huge learning curve in terms of falling in love with rugby again," Lloyd said. "Realising what I value on the pitch and what I value in my team-mates. "I'm really proud to kind of now be in a place that I'm so excited to get on the pitch with Scotland again. Even six months ago, I definitely wasn't in that place. "I've been realising that I'm more than a rugby player and that I'm not defined by selection. "I really had that attitude going into this pre-season. I had goals for every session, like I always do. But my primary goal was just to enjoy playing rugby again." 'I want to be the role model I never had' Scotland are preparing to face Wales on Saturday in their opening match of what Lloyd believes will be "the biggest World Cup in women's rugby history". It is a tremendous opportunity for the women's game to attract new audiences. The tournament will be broadcast live on the BBC, with every match available on the iPlayer and BBC Sport website and select matches shown live on BBC television. It's a level of exposure that far exceeds what Lloyd experienced in her early days as an international player and she feels a sense of responsibility to inspire the next generation. "I really want to be the role model that I don't feel like I had growing up," Lloyd said. "Being that for somebody, that means so much more than as an individual going to the Olympics. "I've kind of really stripped back what I'm playing for, what makes me really proud, which is being Scottish and the girls I get to do it with. "Now I'm 28 - will this be the last World Cup? I don't know. Potentially. So I really just want to make the most of that experience." Related internet links Scottish Rugby Union
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Lloyd 'in love with rugby again' after Olympic heartache
Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Scotland v WalesVenue: Salford Community Stadium Date: Saturday, 23 August Kick-off: 14:45 BSTCoverage: Live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Online and BBC Sounds Rhona Lloyd's ultimate ambition as a sportswoman was to be an Olympian. The process of accepting that dream is now likely to go unfulfilled has been Scotland wing has been a regular in the Great Britain Sevens squad for years. Having missed out on selection for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Lloyd set her sights on the Paris Games in many she seemed like a strong contender, but when the squad was announced Lloyd was once again left on the outside looking was a crushing blow, and one that prompted some self-reflection."It's been a really challenging 12 months," Lloyd told the BBC's Scotland Rugby Podcast."My one goal in rugby was to go to the Olympics. I think the realisation last summer that that's not happening, that I'm not going to achieve that, was really hard to come to terms with."I think I'd probably built my identity around that a little bit." 'I've realised I'm more than a rugby player' Speaking to Lloyd's Scotland team-mates in the aftermath of her Olympics heartache, it was clear the disappointment was felt not just by her, but the whole was embraced back into the national set-up, where more than one colleague has described her as the heartbeat of the passion and enthusiasm for representing Scotland is infectious and, while the Olympics is unlikely to be the career-defining moment she imagined, Lloyd has reset what she wants from her time playing international rugby."This season, I've been on a huge learning curve in terms of falling in love with rugby again," Lloyd said. "Realising what I value on the pitch and what I value in my team-mates."I'm really proud to kind of now be in a place that I'm so excited to get on the pitch with Scotland again. Even six months ago, I definitely wasn't in that place."I've been realising that I'm more than a rugby player and that I'm not defined by selection."I really had that attitude going into this pre-season. I had goals for every session, like I always do. But my primary goal was just to enjoy playing rugby again." 'I want to be the role model I never had' Scotland are preparing to face Wales on Saturday in their opening match of what Lloyd believes will be "the biggest World Cup in women's rugby history".It is a tremendous opportunity for the women's game to attract new audiences. The tournament will be broadcast live on the BBC, with every match available on the iPlayer and BBC Sport website and select matches shown live on BBC a level of exposure that far exceeds what Lloyd experienced in her early days as an international player and she feels a sense of responsibility to inspire the next generation."I really want to be the role model that I don't feel like I had growing up," Lloyd said."Being that for somebody, that means so much more than as an individual going to the Olympics."I've kind of really stripped back what I'm playing for, what makes me really proud, which is being Scottish and the girls I get to do it with."Now I'm 28 - will this be the last World Cup? I don't know. Potentially. So I really just want to make the most of that experience."
The Independent
16-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Marlie Packer recalled as centre Jade Shekells makes first start for Red Roses
Jade Shekells has been handed her first Red Roses start in a much-changed England team to face Scotland. Former captain Marlie Packer, replaced by Zoe Aldcroft ahead of this tournament, is handed a second start of the tournament on the openside, while Holly Aitchison takes the reins at fly half. Shekells partners former Great Britain Sevens teammate Meg Jones in the centres, with Claudia MacDonald joining Abby Dow and Ellie Kildunne in the back three. Kelsey Clifford - usually a tighthead for Saracens but playing loosehead for England in this campaign – is promoted into the starting front row with Lark Atkin-Davies and Sarah Bern. Hooker Amy Cokayne will miss the game with a pectoral injury that requires a scan, with her participation against France next week as yet uncertain. This is a significant opportunity for the recalled Packer, who lost the captaincy in part due to doubts over her place in the starting side. With Sadia Kabeya and Maddie Feaunati impressing in this tournament, and Aldcroft featuring in every game so far on the blindside, back row competition is intense. Packer has retained a role as vice-captain and continues to drive high standards within the Red Roses squad. 'I don't think there was ever really a demotion,' lock Abbie Ward said of her forward colleague. 'Marlie's a fantastic leader and always will be, whether she's wearing the armband or not. That's exactly the same with Zoe. She's got the captaincy and she was always an incredible leader before. She's stepped into it so naturally and nothing has changed. 'Marlie, whether she's playing or not, is always inputting. She's always helping the squad get better. Even if she's not on pitch, she brings her experience. You speak about Marlie and often you speak about the energy that she has and that ferocity. But she also has this other side where she brings a calmness to the squad. Because she's been there, she's done that, she's been in tough games, she's been on the sides of huge wins and also losses. I think that's just invaluable to us.' Shekells, meanwhile, is seen as a possible alternative to first-choice inside centre Tatyana Heard as Mitchell seeks to build depth at the position. Though she featured sparingly for Gloucester-Hartpury this season, the 28-year-old is a sevens stalwart and played alongside Jones and Kildunne at Paris 2024 last summer. 'It's definitely going to help playing with someone she's got relationships with,' Nathan Catt, England's defence and scrum coach, explained. 'Obviously, you have relatively similar styles coming from sevens, so I think it will definitely be beneficial for her. 'She's trained really well, so it will be good to see how she transfers into the game. It's a definite opportunity for her to put her best foot forward.' England XV to face Scotland at Welford Road (4.45pm BST, Saturday 19 April): 1 Kelsey Clifford, 2 Lark Atkin-Davies, 3 Sarah Bern; 4 Rosie Galligan, 5 Abbie Ward; 6 Zoe Aldcroft (capt.), 7 Marlie Packer, 8 Maddie Feaunati; 9 Lucy Packer, 10 Holly Aitchison; 11 Claudia MacDonald, 12 Jade Shekells, 13 Meg Jones, 14 Abby Dow; 15 Ellie Kildunne.
