Loughborough Lightning have named their first matchday 23 of the new Allianz Premier 15s campaign, with their league season getting underway against Saracens this weekend.
Rhys Edwards’ side travel to face the league’s reigning champions first up, making the trip to the StoneX Stadium on Sunday (kick-off: 2.30pm).
Lightning ended last season in seventh place, winning nine of their 18 outings across the term – including both of their matches at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens against Exeter Chiefs and Harlequins.
Loughborough won two of their four matches in the pool stage of the Allianz Cup, with the competition being playing in recent weeks to coincide with the Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. But after a narrow 23-19 defeat at Saracens in the same competition towards the end of October, Edwards’ side will have their work cut out to open their league account with a win in North London.
Captained by loosehead prop Katie Trevarthen for the fifth consecutive week, Lightning welcome England international Detysha Harper back into the side amongst five changes from last month’s Cup match – with Bryony Field, Georgina Bradley, Maja Muller and Amanda Swartz also coming into the starting line-up.
After kicking-off the 2022/23 league campaign at the StoneX, Lightning make their return to Northampton – taking to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens to face Harlequins in a week’s time.
Tickets for the clash on Sunday 27 November (kick-off: 3pm) are on sale now from just £7 adult / £3 junior*, with a five-match bundle including access to all Loughborough’s regular home games at the Gardens this season also available from £28 adult / £12 junior*.
Saracens Women vs Loughborough Lightning
Allianz Premier 15s, Round 1
Sunday 20 November 2022
StoneX Stadium
Kick-off: 2.30pm
15 Georgina Lingham
14 Lauren Bolger
13 Georgina Tasker
12 Emma Hardy
11 Amanda Swartz
10 Megan Davey
9 Jess Weaver
1 Katie Trevarthen (c)
2 Bryony Field
3 Detysha Harper
4 Lilli Ives Campion
5 Georgia Bradley
6 Danni Allen
7 Maja Muller
8 Daisy Hibbert-Jones
Replacements:
16 Kendall Waudby
17 Kath Baverstock
18 Isla Curphey
19 Grace Clifford
20 Sally Williams
21 Nikita Prothero
22 Lucia Linn
23 Molly Luthay
* All ticket prices are subject to a £1.50 booking fee.
