Georgina Tasker: ‘Vice-captaincy is pretty easy, because I never shut up anyway!’

Georgina Tasker has started all nine of Loughborough Lightning’s competitive fixtures so far this season and will make it ten this weekend away at Gloucester-Hartpury.

The 21-year-old, who made her debut back in April 2021 against Saracens, has become a mainstay in the starting line-up operating at centre, fullback and most frequently on the wing.

Ahead of Saturday’s clash with the defending Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby champions, she discusses the challenge ahead, the progress Lightning have made and her new leadership role this season…

Q: How important has the break been over the Christmas period to you and the squad...
GT: This year was one of the first years where we have had fixtures going so late into December so going all the way up to the 23rd was a little bit alien. We’ve never had to train so close to Christmas but I think it was really nice for everyone to have a break  and completely switch off.

We had some running and some gym to do at home but Nathan [Smith, head coach] didn’t send out any reviews or anything until the 28th so it was nice to get that period of time to be with friends and family and celebrate Christmas and New Year. 

Q: Two days before Christmas, Lightning pushed Exeter all the way at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens. How proud were you of that performance?
GT: I think going into that game, we spoke about having a bit more belief in ourself. I think sometimes we have fallen short in a few games because we get to tough patches when we’re actually pushing teams and we almost kind of back out of it a little bit. 

The fact there was only two points in it towards the end, it was almost an 85-minute performance from us. It epitomised everything we have worked on over preseason with fitness. We were absolutely drilled on that.

Q: With Gloucester-Hartpury up next, it means you will have faced both of last season's Allianz PWR finalists in your last two games. How much will these games tell you where Lightning are at as a Club?
GT: Gloucester away is obviously different. We had Exeter at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, so we had that home advantage and the crowd were really good. It was really nice to see so many young faces in the crowd cheering us on. It will be a little bit different against Gloucester. 

They are both sides that match up physically. That is something we definitely need to test ourselves on but, it is nice to get a bit of a reflection to see where we’re at and I am definitely excited going into this weekend with what we managed to just before Christmas against Exeter. 

Gloucester are a really exciting team to play, the brand of rugby they play is really good. It’s nice to match yourselves up against that. 

Q: How pleased are you that your teammate Carmela Morrall has been nominated for the RPA’s Most Valuable Player under the age of 23 for her performances in December?
GT: Last season, Cam had some exposure to the Prem and when she was training, it was clear she was going to be really good. She looks like she has so much time on the ball. It is great to play outside someone like that, who has an incredible skillset, and is still so young. It’s really exciting for her. 

It’s really nice to see that she has been recognised for some really good performances that she has put in recently.  It is really exciting to see what she could potentially bring in the future because she still has so much time to develop but she is already pretty good!

Q: How much are you enjoying the added responsibility of being vice-captain this season?
GT: Rachel Malcolm is captain of Scotland and captain of Lightning, so that is someone who is pretty good to be behind. She has got so much experience in that leadership role. Also at Loughborough there are so many players that have got experience at different levels.

You look at Helena Rowland, someone who has been to the Olympics and also been to the World Cup with England, so it is pretty easy to bounce off those people in and around training. People like Scaz, for example. You learn a lot from them and I hope that I can implement that myself.  It’s pretty easy for me because I never shut up anyway! 

Q: How did the leadership role come about?
GT: It was in the Allianz Cup, the team got announced in a meeting and Nathan had just put it on the teamsheet to be honest! He hadn’t really chatted to anyone about it. He said in a group meeting that he had put me as vice-captain and asked in front of everyone; do I accept? I was like, yeah! 

I think with Smithy, he gives you credit where credit is due. He can be quite tough but for the right reasons, so it is nice to get some appreciation too!