Eight changes to Lightning side to face Sale Sharks

Director of Rugby Rhys Edwards has made eight changes to Loughborough Lightning’s starting line-up this weekend, with the side facing Sale Sharks away from home in the Allianz Premier 15s.

Saints’ women’s team are still chasing their first win of the new league campaign following narrow defeats to Saracens and Harlequins in their two matches so far.

But as they make the trip to Heywood Road on Saturday (kick-off: 2pm), Lightning welcome a number of internationals back into their ranks, with England’s Morwenna Talling starting in the second row for her first appearance since the Rugby World Cup.

Scotland’s Christine Belisle also starts in the front row for the first time this term, while the only other change to the pack sees England Under-20s international Kendall Waudby start at hooker in place of the injured Bryony Field.

But five changes come in Loughborough’s back line, with only wing Georgie Lingham and fullback Georgina Tasker continuing from last weekend’s defeat in Northampton.

Emma Hardy and Wales centre Carys Williams-Morris line-up in the midfield for Loughborough, with Amanda Swartz starting on the wing, and Scotland fly-half Helen Nelson partners young No.9 Lucy Weaver in the half-back berths.

Meanwhile, amongst the Lightning replacements there is also a return for England’s Sadia Kabeya and Scotland’s Emma Wassell, with the pair hoping to make an impact for the visitors off the bench.

Tickets for Loughborough Lightning’s matches in Northampton against Exeter Chiefs, Wasps, Sale Sharks, and Bristol Bears are on sale now from just £7 adult / £3 junior*.

SALE SHARKS vs LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING
Allianz Premier 15s, Round 3
Saturday 3 December 2022
Heywood Road
Kick-off: 2pm

15 Georgina Tasker
14 Georgie Lingham
13 Carys Williams-Morris
12 Emma Hardy
11 Amanda Swartz
10 Helen Nelson
9 Lucy Weaver

1 Katie Trevarthen
2 Kendall Waudby
3 Christine Belisle
4 Lilli Ives Campion
5 Morwenna Talling
6 Georgia Bradley
7 Rachel Malcolm (c)
8 Daisy Hibbert-Jones

Replacements:
16 Maja Meuller
17 Leah Bartlett
18 Detysha Harper
19 Emma Wassell
20 Sadia Kabeya
21 Lucia Linn
22 Carmela Morrall
23 Sarah Smart

* All ticket prices are subject to a £1.50 booking fee.