About EULRFC
THE RUGBY PROGRAMME
Edinburgh University Ladies Rugby Football Club (EULRFC) is one of the leading high performance women’s rugby teams in the UK, having won the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Championship in 2017.
Based at the University of Edinburgh, the club strives to create an environment for everyone, from beginners and recreational players to elite athletes competing at international level. With two full playing squads and a development team, the club offers performance to participation, and access to world-class coaching and facilities.
For the 2019-2020 season the first XV will play in the BUCS Super 6 League, the BUCS Championship Cup and the BUCS Championship 7s. Within the squad there are players that represent Scotland, Scotland U20s, England U20s, Scotland Touch and Scotland 7s.
CLUB HISTORY
EULRFC has a rich history of producing talented alumni, many who have gone on to international honours. The current Scotland 15’s squad features 11 (current and former) EULRFC members: Elizabeth Musgrove, Helen Nelson, Lauren Harris, Lisa Martin, Lisa Thomson, Mhairi Grieve, Rhona Lloyd, Sarah Law, Katie Dougan, Lucy Winter, and Nicola Howat.
In June 2019 Rhona Lloyd, Megan Gaffney, Lisa Thomson and Helen Nelson were also selected in the debut Scotland 7’s squad for the World Series in France.
NOTABLE ALUMNI
Heather Lockhart
Scotland
Heather is a multi-talented athlete who took up rugby later in her career, earning over 80 international caps for Scotland and selection to the British Lionesses.
A former junior international hockey player and a Scottish title holder at tennis, Heather won a full Blue for both hockey and tennis while at the University of Edinburgh and won the Eva Bailey Trophy – awarded to the best female athlete – in both 1991/92 and 1992/93.
A gifted sporting all-rounder, it is as a rugby player that Heather has really excelled. Making her international debut against the USA in 2004 at the age of 32, she now has over 80 senior Scotland caps. She has played in two World Cups, helping the Scotland team to come 6th in 2006 and 8th in the 2010 tournament. Her status as a leading international player was recognised in 2008 when she was selected to play for the British Lionesses (made up of the best players in the Home Nations) against a Rest of the World team.
That same year, she was voted the Scottish Women’s International Player of the Year.
Playing in the specialist position of prop, she has scored four tries for Scotland, has established herself as an integral part of Scottish Women’s Rugby on and off the pitch, and is widely recognised as a key figure behind the growth, popularity and standard of women’s rugby at club and international levels.
Hollie Davidson
International Referee
Hollie made her international refereeing debut on the World Rugby HSBC Sevens circuit in 2017, and now represents the governing body as a contracted referee, as part of Scottish Rugby’s commitment to developing Scottish match officials.
A former half-back, Hollie first became involved in rugby with her school team in Aboyne, progressing through the regional pathway and later representing Edinburgh University, while studying for a degree in economic history. Hollie also played for BT Women’s Premier League side, Murrayfield Wanderers, for a number of seasons and represented Scotland Women U20 in 2010/11 and 2011/12. In October 2015, after attending a Scottish Rugby women’s only refereeing course, Hollie’s interest in officiating grew and she later completed her Level 2 course before refereeing at Scottish tournaments and Rugby Europe competitions.
COACHES
Claire Cruikshank
Head Coach
Claire has been a coach at Edinburgh University since 2011. During her time she has led the club to ground-breaking success.
A former player herself, Claire has played for Scotland in both the Women’s World Cup squad in 2006 and European Championships Squad in 2000. She played for Murrayfield Wanderers for 10 years and was made Captain in 2005-06 where she led the team to SWRU League, Cup and National 7s titles.
Claire is UKCC Level 3 Qualified and has been coaching for over 15 years, including:
- 2007-2008: Scotland Women U18 Assistant Coach
- 2008-2010: Scotland Women Academy Coach
- 2010-2012: Scotland Women U20 Assistant Coach
- 2010, 2012 & 2016: Scottish University Women 7s Head Coach
- 2010: GB Students 7s Assistant Coach, World University Games
- 2013-2014 & 2016-2017 University Of Edinburgh Coach of the Year
Gordon Lyon
Assistant Coach
Gordon is a coach development officer with Scottish Rugby and has been coaching for over 20 years. He has been with the team for 3 years and recently received his master coach qualification from World rugby.
Gordon comes from a varied sports background and has had success coaching in Rugby, Football, Volleyball and Basketball in his previous role as a Sport & Fitness lecturer. Gordon changed from a playing to coaching career early to also coincide with a competitive powerlifting career. He has since studied the art of coaching science and has worked with several teams at different levels.