Loughborough Lightning: Rugby World Cup Round-Up

Northampton Saints’ women’s team, Loughborough Lightning, have 16 players representing their countries at the ongoing Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. 

Here, we look at how Lightning’s internationals fared during the second round of pool fixtures, with quarter-final places up for grabs…

Landmark for Hunter as Red Roses made to sweat

Four Loughborough players were involved as England were pushed all the way by France at Whangarei before ultimately winning 13-7 to book their place in the last eight.

Captain Sarah Hunter earned her 137th cap for the Red Roses, which equalled the record of Rocky Clark, and she steered the tournament favourites to their 27th consecutive Test win.

Centre Emily Scarratt scored all of England’s points, as she darted through for their only try of the game after 24 minutes, which she converted herself before adding a penalty in each half.

Despite dominating much of the contest in possession and territory, England were pegged back by a well-worked French try from Gaelle Hermet that rattled them for a time, but they regained their composure in the final minutes to make sure of victory.

Centre Helena Rowland started for the second time in the tournament, while lock Cath O’Donnell came off the bench for the last 15 minutes.

Player of the match against Fiji the previous week, Sadia Kabeya, was left out England’s matchday squad this time, although she looks set to be involved in their final pool game against South Africa, as does Morwenna Talling.

So near, yet so far, for Lightning’s Scots again

Earlier on Saturday, five Lightning players played their part as Scotland fell just short for the second game running as they were defeated 14-12 by Australia.

Rachel Malcolm again captained the Scots from openside and she was joined in the starting line-up by Christine Belisle, Emma Wassell and Helen Nelson, while Leah Bartlett was used off the bench after the hour mark.

Megan Gaffney, who scored two tries in her side’s 18-15 loss against Wales in their tournament opener, was not selected on this occasion.

Having started slowly against the Welsh, Scotland began on the front foot this time and led 12-0 at the break as Lana Skeldon’s early score was added to by a penalty try.

Australia turned the match on its head, however, as Bienne Terita brought them back within a score before Lori Cramer’s conversion of Ashley Marsters’ try put them in front.

The Scots then finished the match against 13 players as both Marsters and Adiana Talakai were sent off in the closing stages for dangerous tackles, but they could not make their numerical advantage count.

Duo part of Canada’s latest victory

Loughborough pair Courtney Holtkamp and Sara Svoboda both played as Canada made it two wins from two in Pool B with a 22-12 victory over Italy at Auckland’s Waitakere Stadium.

It was a first appearance of the tournament for back rower Svoboda, although she was brought off at half-time with her team 12-5 ahead thanks to tries by Paige Farries and Emily Tuttosi cancelling out Vittoria Minuzzi’s first-minute opener.

Scores by Sara Kaljuvee and Tuttosi made the game safe for the Canadians, as they booked a quarter-final spot despite Elisa Giordano’s late consolation for Italy.

USA picked up their first win of the tournament by defeating Japan 30-12 at the Northland Events Centre, with Lightning lock Hallie Taufoou (who scored in the Eagles’ opener against Italy) not selected this time.