Lana Skeldon (born 18 October 1993) is a Scottish professional rugby player from Hawick.[1] She has played in multiple Women's Six Nations Championships, including the 2021 Women's Six Nations Championship.[2]
| Date of birth | 18 October 1993 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Melrose, Scotland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.61 m (5 ft 3+1⁄2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 80 kg (180 lb; 12 st 8 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Club career
Skeldon began her club career playing at Tennent’s Women’s Premier League side, Watsonians. She began playing for DMP Sharks in the Premier 15s in 2019.[3]
She's been part of a Scottish Schools Cup-winning team on three occasions at U15 and U18 with Gala Girls and won the plate with Melrose Ladies in 2013.[4]
She typically played six in back-row before one of her coaches offered her the chance to play as a hooker. She describes this as a turning point in her career.[5]
In 2021 Skeldon was signed by Worcester Warriors. After Worcester left the Women's Premiership in 2023, she was signed to play for Bristol Bears[6]
International career
Skeldon made her international debut for XVs against the Netherlands in 2011.[7] Before that, she represented Scotland Women U15, U16, U18 and U20.[8] She was eleven when she started playing for Scotland.[9]
Skeldon was named as one of eight ‘2021’ contracted players by Scottish Rugby ahead of the 2018/19 season, enabling her to train full-time.[10]
She was part of the team that defeated Wales at Broadwood in 2017, which she describes as her proudest moment.[11][12]
Skeldon was also part of the team that defeated Italy in 2017, converting tries for team mate Chloe Rollie.[13]
Skeldon played in the 2019 South African tour, in which the Scottish team won two of its matches, playing for the first time in the Southern hemisphere.[14][15]
She played in the 2020 Women's Six Nations Championship, which was disrupted due to COVID-19.[16] She was also part of the squad for the 2021 Women's Six Nations Championship, playing in all three matches against England, Italy and Wales.[17]
Personal life
The former pupil of Hawick High School spent her teenage years playing football, hockey and rugby before dedicating her time fully to the latter.[18]
Her mother Ann Skeldon played rugby for Hawick Ladies and Skeldon states this as her inspiration for learning the sport.[19] Her father Michael also played rugby, representing Hawick Harlequins.[20]
Before being awarded a Scottish Rugby 2021 contract, she worked in a cashmere factory in Hawick, balancing work with her rugby training commitments.[21][22]
Based at Borders Academy, she coaches local rugby and studies sport fitness and coaching with the Open University.[23]
Lana is a passionate advocate for women's rugby, and spoke about this in an interview with ITV in 2020 for International Women's Day.[24] In 2020, she was among the Scottish players who took part in a sponsored run in Edinburgh to help promote the sport to more women and girls.[25]
References
External links
- Profile Page at Scottish Rugby