Smith shares ’enormous pride’ as 14 Lightning players make World Cup squads

Loughborough Lightning Head Coach Nathan Smith shared his ‘enormous pride’ in an incredible 14 members of his squad being selected in Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 squads.

Scotland recently picked Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden, Becky Boyd, Anne Young and Elis Martin in their squad for the competition that is being staged in England and kicks off later this month.

That was in addition to Emily Scarratt, Helena Rowland, Sadia Kabeya and Lilli Ives Campion making it into the final Red Roses contingent, and USA Eagles selecting Alev Kelter, Kathryn Treder, Bulou Mataitoga, Keia Mae Sagapolu and Tahlia Brody in their squad – with some set to go head-to-head in the tournament’s opening contest on Friday 22 August at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.

“Firstly, I’d like to congratulate the 14 Loughborough Lightning players who have been selected in their respective countries’ squads for the 2025 Rugby World Cup,” said Smith.

“It is especially pleasing to see the likes of Lilli Ives Campion and Becky Boyd picked for England and Scotland. They have both progressed through the programme here at Loughborough and have gone on to become Premiership Women’s Rugby players and now fully-fledged internationals embarking on the sport’s biggest stage.

“I also want to mention the many players who just missed out on selection, be it through injuries or selection calls. The world of top-level sport can be especially cruel during these kind of events. While I am proud to have 14 players at the Rugby World Cup, it could so easily have been an even higher number, which in itself is another reason for everyone involved to be proud of their efforts.”

Lightning also had 11 players feature in the recent Under-20 Six Nations Summer Series, with England hooker and captain Lucy Calladine being chosen as her country’s most valuable player. Amelia Williams, Lia Green, Ashton Adcock, Carmela Morrall, Haineala Lutui, Grace Clifford, Keevy Fitzpatrick, Lucy Finch and Molly Luthayi also featured for England, as did Freya MacColl for Scotland.

Smith said: “We are delighted that so many high potential young rugby players are representing their countries at age-grade level. 

“I’ve said it before but there is a need to develop more homegrown female players who can compete at the top level in this country and we feel we are making massive strides to fill that gap.

Lightning’s Under-20 Summer Series contingent are now back in full training as preparations step up ahead of the PWR Cup clash with Sale Sharks on Saturday 23 August (kick-off: 12pm) at Loughborough University – tickets are available by clicking HERE.

The cup clash will give Smith a first opportunity to see his young side in competitive action, with further fixtures against Leicester Tigers, Saracens and Bristol Bears to follow before the 2025/26 PWR season kicks off in late October.

“The knock-on effect of having so many players involved in the international scene is our squad has looked very different in the first six weeks of preseason,” explained Smith.

“But that is a challenge and I and the team have really embraced and enjoyed, and a number of players have put their hands up for selection.

“The PWR Cup will very much be a development period for us, one that we are looking forward to, and there is a collective excitement about getting out there on the pitch and playing some competitive rugby with a Lightning badge on our chests.”