When she was a youngster in Abu Dhabi, Leia Brebner-Holden could not have imagined one day representing Scotland in international rugby.
But the 22-year-old scrum-half realised that dream last night when she put in a terrific showing after emerging as a second half replacement in the 40-14 win over Wales.
Coach Bryan Easson said she and fellow debutant Lucia Scott were full of energy before the game and praised the pair for their contributions to a comfortable win.
“The two of them have been so energetic all week and this morning I didn’t think they were going to make the game,” he joked.
“Their performances were exceptional. Leia coming on, the speed off the base [of the ruck] was excellent, and Lucia took her first high ball and grew into the game.
"They should be really proud of themselves.”
After leaving the UAE as a teenager, Brebner-Holden earned scholarships to rugby scholarships to Hartpury College and Hartpury University.
She also helped Cheltenham Tigers to consecutive Women’s National Championship titles.
She was excellent for Edinburgh in the Celtic Challenge and a stand-out for Scotland U20s in the summer series.
And she was pleased to get nearly half an hour under her belt on her debut.
“I didn’t really know when I was going on, I don’t think I was expecting to go on quite as soon as I did, but I couldn’t be happier with the amount of time that I got on my first cap, I think it was absolutely great.
“My brief was to bring tempo to the game and I am quite happy with how I did with that.
“That’s something that I really feel that I bring to the game, it is a big focus for me and I love coming off the bench and kind of bringing that speed and tempo to the game.”
Being part of the Six Nations training squad and spending time with Edinburgh earlier this year helped settle Brebner-Holden into the group.
“I was in for the Six Nations, so I got to know everyone then and it meant that when I came back for our recent pre-season block it was so much easier,” she said.
“That left me feeling pretty go ahead of this match and ahead of the competition that is to come.
“This time around it has been about coming in, continuing to work on my game and getting stuck in.”
And Brebner-Holden, who qualifies for Scotland through her Brora-born mum Lorna, was able to share a moment with her parents after being presented with her first cap on the Hive Stadium pitch.
“I managed to catch up with them after the game and they were just ecstatic and so happy."
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