Loughborough Lightning welcome back five of their Guinness Women’s Six Nations stars to their starting side for their return to Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby action this weekend.
Fresh from helping the Red Roses to a sixth successive title, Sadia Kabeya packs down at openside flanker and Emily Scarratt features at outside centre for Sunday’s showdown with unbeaten league leaders Gloucester-Hartpury (kick-off: 3pm) at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
Three of Lightning’s Scotland contingent are also included from the first whistle as Rachel Malcolm captains from blindside flanker, Emma Wassell features in the second row and Helen Nelson operates from fly-half.
Fullback Georgina Tasker, wingers Ellen Scantlebury and Bo Westcombe-Evans and inside centre Carmela Morrall keep their places from the side that defeated Sale Sharks in the Allianz Cup a fortnight ago, while Lucy Weaver is promoted to the starting scrum-half role with Megan Davey named among the replacements.
There’s a first Lightning start for tighthead prop Laura Keates. The 62-times capped Red Roses international made her first appearance for the Club from the bench a fortnight ago nearly two years after her last game of rugby due to injury and the demise of Worcester Warriors.
She forms a new-look front row alongside Sweden international Maja Meuller as she earns her first start since December 2023, while Amelia Williams – who was one of seven Lightning players to feature in the England Under-20s international with Wales last weekend – wears the number one shirt.
Lock Cath O’Donnell and No.8 Daisy Hibbert-Jones retain their starting roles with the latter operating as vice captain, having captained the side last time out.
Starters against Sale Sharks Lucy Calladine, Abby Duguid, Sally Williams, Kendall Waudby and Lia Green are all replacements to face Gloucester-Hartpury, alongside props Isla Curphey and Katie Trevarthen – who is set to make her 99th Lightning appearance when she enters proceedings.
“This is a really exciting challenge ahead of us,” said head coach Nathan Smith. “We completely understand the quality of opposition we are up against. They are unbeaten so far in the league for a reason and we are really excited about taking them on.
“It is an opportunity for us to throw the kitchen sink at them and see what happens.”
Lightning currently stand fifth in the table with four rounds remaining – three of which are being staged at the Gardens.
“What we are chasing is the same as throughout the season,” added Smith. “We want to keep building on what we have started this year. It was never about an end point.
“We don’t want to start looking over our shoulders or worrying too much about positions in the table, this is about earning respect of each other, earning respect within the league, but then also how can we create moments in the last four games that is going to springboard us for next year as well.”
Tickets are available for the match priced at £7.50 for adults and £3 for children*, click HERE to book yours now.
LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING vs GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY
Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby, Round 15
Sunday 12 May, 2024
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 3pm
15 Georgina Tasker
14 Ellen Scantlebury
13 Emily Scarratt
12 Carmela Morrall
11 Bo Westcombe-Evans
10 Helen Nelson
9 Lucy Weaver
1 Amelia Williams
2 Maja Meuller
3 Laura Keates
4 Emma Wassell
5 Cath O’Donnell
6 Rachel Malcolm (c)
7 Sadia Kabeya
8 Daisy Hibbert-Jones (vc)
Replacements:
16 Lucy Calladine
17 Katie Trevarthen
18 Isla Curphey
19 Abby Duguid
20 Kendall Waudby
21 Sally Williams
22 Megan Davey
23 Lia Green
* Ticket prices are subject to a £1.50 booking fee.
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