Hyland living Glasgow Warriors dream

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 27: Warriors players warming uo before a Celtic Challenge match between Glasgow Warriors Women and Clovers at Scotstoun Stadium, on January 27, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Simon Wootton / SNS Group)

Sprung from the bench for the final quarter of yesterday’s 29-10 defeat at the hands of the Clovers, the 19-year-old made a near-instant impact on proceedings, producing the break and scoring pass to send fellow debutant Beth Blacklock over the whitewash.

Whilst shifting any credit for the try onto Blacklock – “I’ve got to thank her for running the line!” -, Hyland’s cameo becomes all the more impressive when she admits that number eight wouldn’t be her natural position.

“It was a bit of a last-minute shout to be honest, because I’ve not run that often at number eight in training!” the back-rower told glasgowwarriors.org post-match.

“All of us in the back-row are comfortable covering whatever positions we need to cover, though, so once I got myself up to speed it all sort of just fitted into place.

“I’m just really happy to have got the opportunity to represent this club, and to be a Glasgow Warrior.”

Despite suffering a fourth defeat in the Celtic Challenge to date, a competitive performance from the Warriors underlined the strides forward this squad has taken in their collective development over the competition to date.

With a quick turnaround before travelling to Wales to take on Brython Thunder next weekend, Hyland is confident that results to match the displays on the field are on their way.

“It was definitely a performance that was an improvement upon last week, we’re just disappoineted not to come away with the win really,” said the back-rower.

“We were slow to get going, but we rallied well and we spoke at half-time about keeping the momentum going from the try from Izzy [Hannay] just before half-time. We stuck at it and now we just need to keep building.

“The two Welsh teams are very physical squads, so we know we need to keep our physicality levels high. I’ve got full faith in this group, though, from everyone from the coaches to the players.

“Training this week was focused on putting our skills under pressure and making sure they stay at a high level. Next week is going to be another big challenge, but we know what we can do as a group.”

Above all, however, Hyland’s enthusiasm for being a part of the inaugural Glasgow Warriors women’s squad is clear for all to see.

It’s a trait evident throughout the playing group and backroom team, as the Celtic Challenge squad create their own slice of club history together.

“Everyone at the club – honestly, they’re the loveliest people ever!” smiled Hyland.

“We’ve only been together since November, and normally we’re all playing against each other for our clubs up and down the country, so it’s been so nice to come together and bounce off each other’s strengths. It’s such a good group of girls, I really can’t say enough about all of them.

“This club is such a community, too – I’ve always been a Glasgow Warriors supporter and my dad is one of the biggest Warriors fans you’ll ever meet.

“From day one, we were welcomed into the club and became a part of this club without any hesitation. There was never any attitude of ‘oh there’s the women’s team’ or anything like that, it was a case of being made to feel like part of the club from the moment we walked in the door.

“Everyone is so privileged and honoured to be a part of it, and we all want to give absolutely everything we can for this badge and this club.”