Scotland star Helen Nelson extends Loughborough Lightning contract

Loughborough Lightning’s joint sixth-highest all-time appearance maker Helen Nelson has extended her contract with the club.

Nelson joined the African Violets in 2019 and has gone to amass 65 appearances and scored 103 points across six seasons. The 31-year-old previously played for Edinburgh University, Murrayfield Wanderers and had a spell in France playing for Montpellier.

The versatile back – who made Lightning appearances at fly-half, centre and fullback last season – made her senior international debut for Scotland nine years ago and remains a mainstay, operating as vice-captain during the recent Guinness Women’s Six Nations when she moved to 70 caps and to tenth in Scotland women’s all-time appearance list.

“I’m delighted to be staying with Loughborough Lightning into a sixth season,” said Nelson. 

“The highlight for me was getting that win over Saracens at home. We really gelled as a team and it was a really special one that meant a lot to us as a group of players. It was a confidence booster as we realised we could take on those top four teams. I wasn’t playing in the win away at Bristol that followed, but I was so proud to watch the girls knit everything together and absolutely smash it. 

“Ultimately we were disappointed not to make the top four but we were very proud of the improvements we made throughout the season.”

Nelson is the latest back to extend their stay at Lightning, following Meg Davey, Alev Kelter, Bulou Mataitoga, Bo Westcombe-Evans, Leia Brebner-Holden and Krissy Scurfield and  – with more announcements to follow soon.

“We showed how dangerous our back three are when they get touches, they score a lot of tries,” added Nelson. “I am looking forward to working with everyone again and seeing some friendly faces at the World Cup will be cool, then I am looking forward to getting back to it with Lightning in October. 

“I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to get into the top four. We definitely want to be chasing those latter stages of the tournament. We need to pick up from where we left off and take on some of the bigger teams and show that we’re here to compete and we are here to win games.”

Lightning head coach Nathan Smith, who has also locked in the likes of Sadia Kabeya, Lilli Ives Campion, Becky Boyd and Kendall Waudby on new deals, was delighted to keep the experienced back within his ranks.

“Nelly was really hitting some excellent form during the end of 2024 and early 2025 and really grabbed that 10 shirt, before she unfortunately picked up an injury that meant she missed the last four games,” said Smith.

“She is a fantastic rugby player whose flexibility is very valuable for me as a head coach. Another of her qualities is her leadership, which has been reflected by her vice-captaincy role for Scotland and taking over the captaincy against England during the Six Nations.

“We’re lucky to have someone as experienced and talented as Nelly within our environment. Only three members of our current squad made their debuts for Lightning before her, and it’s important we have continuity especially in pivotal positions like fly-half.”

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