Music has played a huge role throughout Rhona Lloyd's Scotland career so far, and now, having reached 50 caps, she wants her country to continue to make a positive splash in the world of women's rugby going forward.
The Scots celebrated a half-century in winger style with a 17-10 win over Italy last Saturday in Parma to put them third in the Guinness Women's Six Nations table with one round of matches to go.
Beat Ireland in Belfast this weekend and Scotland could finish third in the standings for the first time since 2005 and secure WXV 1 qualification and a place in the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
There is a lot to focus on in the near future for Wade and his teammates, but this week she took some time to look back at her Scotland journey that began when she was 19-years-old in 2016.
Whether it's naming Scotland Sevens' band Rona and the Whales as they perform an impromptu jam session while on tour in Hong Kong, buying a ukulele on the same trip or playing that ukulele in New Zealand at the Rugby World Cup in 2022, While sports scientist Fraser Menzies played bagpipes as the team sang Loch Lomond, music wasn't too far from things.
In fact, her teammates sang “Rhona, Rhona, Rhona” to her – their version of Ruby by Kaiser Chiefs – a few days ago at her 50th game presentation ceremony at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi with her parents Lea and Robert continuing the music theme.
“I love rugby and I love music, it’s a lot of fun,” said Lloyd, now 27.
“We went to Hong Kong in 2019 as the Scotland Sevens team to try to qualify for the World Championship. There was Noah and the Whale and we were playing with chopsticks on our cups, it was all a joke, but it was fun.
“The next day we stopped by a music store, I got a ukulele and some of the girls got a maraca. Then we had to name the 'band' and I paid for Runa and the Whales.
“I'm not sure if everyone is happy with it, but the name stuck!
“From that day on, we often referred to the Sevens as Rona and the Whales, and sometimes we would laugh along to the music when we were away on trips.
“Then when we [the XVs squad at WXV 2] We were in South Africa last year and didn't come back until the Monday after the last match.
“There was a group of people who were going to get tattoos of their cap numbers. It was me and a lot of the younger girls, so our team manager [Ellen Dickson] “Runa, make sure no one comes back with a silly tattoo,” she told me.
Then we came back and she said, “Oh, it was just you!” [because she had got a tattoo of a whale on her arm to mark Rhona and the Whales].
“Culture is really important to me though, and that's something I got from Scotland Sevens.
“We once finished ninth at the World Championships for example when we only met on a Tuesday and then competed from the Friday onwards. That's not unheard of, but the thing that allowed us to do it and push it was our willingness to train hard and work.” Serious to each other because of the bonds we have created.
“The culture has a huge intersection with performance, so whether it's music or other things, I just want everyone to enjoy being part of the group.
“I enjoy playing rugby so much, it's a passion that has become my job, so enjoying the journey is a big thing for me.
“We have a social committee in the current Scotland Six Nations squad. Louise McMillan, Rachel MacLachlan, Francesca McGee and I do extra things around camp to make sure everyone is enjoying their team here and everyone is connecting as teammates and friends off the pitch.
“We want this environment to be fun and I think if you ask any player they will say that.
“That feeling off the pitch has definitely helped us with our recent form on the pitch.”
Lloyd, Scotland Cap 192 I was first introduced to rugby by international cap 136 Sarah Quick when the latter held a taster session at Tynecastle High School in Edinburgh.
From there, at the instigation of teacher Bruce Aitchison and coach Eric Jones, Lloyd went on to play for Murrayfield Wanderers and became hooked.
Since then she has played for the national age group teams, the University of Edinburgh, Loughborough Lightning, Les Lionnes du Stade Bordelais, the national sevens team, the XVs team and the GB Sevens team.
She is currently dual-contracted with Scottish Rugby and GB Sevens – and hopes to compete in the Paris Olympics in a few months with the latter – and said: “Women's rugby has progressed so far.
“My first cap for Scotland was against England in 2016 [a 32-0 loss] She was crowned on the same day as Lisa Thompson. We were very young and still played for the under-20 team. At that time, the first team didn't have a lot of depth, so you were put in it very quickly.
Combinations
Women's Six Nations
Ireland for women
Scotland Ladies
“The match was at Broadwood [in Cumbernauld]I think there was a maximum of 300 people, we were like a curtain raiser for the Scotland Under-20s and I couldn't tell you if there was a live broadcast – the way the game has changed since then is now absolutely huge.
“It was a huge honor to play for Scotland then, and it remains a huge honor now.
“I feel very proud to have played during this period when women's rugby has changed so much. We've seen professionalism at international level, and for the younger girls coming up now, it looks completely different for them.
“I feel like women's sports are thriving and I feel really lucky to be competing at this time.
“And with Scotland, things are very exciting. We've been happy with the recent wins over Wales and Italy, but our standards for ourselves are much higher than they were before and we know we can still play better which says a lot about where the team is now.
“We are in a very good place and it is no secret that we want to keep up the pressure to see how far we can move Scotland up in the world rankings.” [they are now at a record high of number six].
“We want to compete on the world stage and are thinking about the World Cup next year.
“It's been an amazing journey for me so far and I'm excited for the future.”
