Lisa Thomson
Bringing the fight from North of the border, Scotland’s own Lisa Thomson is also getting ready to make her Olympic debut. Born and raised in the Border town of Melrose, Thomson’s talents were recognised at age-grade level, as she established herself throughout the East of Scotland U18s, before progressing into the nationwide Scotland U20s set-up. The senior debut came shortly after, as Thomson achieved her first cap for Scotland against England, in the 2016 Women’s Six Nations.
Thomson would then go on to sign her first professional contract with the SRU in 2017, whilst she plied her trade with French club Lille Metropole Rugby Club Villeneuvois (LMRCV). The centre would be promptly recalled to her homeland, as she headed to Edinburgh University to finish her studies. The midfielder would combine her academic pursuits alongside her playing career, as she was signed by DMP Sharks in the former Allianz Premier 15s competition.
Thomson was later apart of some historic victories for Scotland, as the side went out on tour for the first time. The centre took on South Africa in the Summer of 2017, as Scotland achieved two wins in the land of the Springboks. The playmaker was named vice-captain of the Scotland squad in 2021, and has maintained the role in support of her skipper Rachel Malcolm. Thomson’s first experience of rugby sevens on the international stage was upon the 2019 HSBC SVNS circuit, and would later also be apart of the Team GB squad that took home gold medals from the 2023 European Games.