Director of Rugby Rhys Edwards has made four changes to his Loughborough Lightning side ahead of this weekend’s Allianz Premier 15s clash against Sale Sharks.
Lightning head to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 5.30pm) hoping to continue their fine form at the venue – with Loughborough winning four of the five games they have played so far in Northampton, and this weekend taking to the field after Saints’ home fixture against Sharks as part of a Double Header of matches.
Edwards’ side were beaten 39-17 in their last outing against Harlequins, and he brings in four fresh faces for the showdown with sixth-placed Sale.
Emma Hardy returns at inside centre, partnering USA international Bulou Mataitoga in the midfield, with Megan Davey the only other change to the backline as she comes in at scrum-half.
Helen Nelson will look to pull the strings for Loughborough in the No.10 jersey, while Fran Goldthorp shifts to the wing and Carys Williams-Morris and Chloe Rollie round off the back three.
Up front, there are two more changes to the pack as Katie Trevarthen starts at loosehead prop and Lilli Ives Campion lines up in the second row.
Maja Meuller continues at hooker after her brace of tries last time out, with Scotland’s Christine Belisle named at tighthead and Emma Wassell keeping her spot to complete the tight five.
Lightning stick with a back row packed full of experience as Sarah Hunter pulls on the No.8 jersey, with Scotland skipper Rachel Malcolm leading the side and Sadia Kabeya (who finished off a superb team try against Quins) named either side of the England captain in the flanker berths.
“We’re excited to be part of another Double Header, just as we were during our first ever game at the stadium against Exeter Chiefs last season,” said Edwards.
“The experience of the crowd and having a good number of people stay behind and watch was one that stayed with us. We’ve been really looking forward to playing in Northampton again. It’s an incredible stage to go and do what you enjoy with an immaculate pitch and a great supporter base.”
Rhys Edwards, Director of Rugby at Loughborough Lightning
“We’re trying to play in the right areas, our set-piece – which I think is one of the best in the league – is starting to fire now so we’re giving ourselves a platform to play off. We’ve got some dangerous backs, but we’ve just got to join the two areas of our game together, play at the right time and gain territory at the right time.
“We weren’t at our best against Sale earlier this season and they deservedly beat us, so putting that right is definitely an added incentive. We’ve got to make sure that we’re better this week.”
LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING vs SALE SHARKS
Allianz Premier 15s
Saturday 18 February 2023
Kick-off: 5.30pm
15 Chloe Rollie
14 Fran Goldthorp
13 Bulou Mataitoga
12 Emma Hardy
11 Carys Williams-Morris
10 Helen Nelson
9 Megan Davey
1 Katie Trevarthen
2 Maja Meuller
3 Christine Belisle
4 Emma Wassell
5 Lilli Ives Campion
6 Rachel Malcolm (c)
7 Sadia Kabeya
8 Sarah Hunter
Replacements:
16 Bryony Field
17 Grace Clifford
18 Detysha Harper
19 Cath O’Donnell
20 Daisy Hibbert-Jones
21 Lucy Weaver
22 Carmela Morrall
23 Bo Westcombe-Evans