Lightning sign Scotland fullback Lucia Scott from Gloucester-Hartpury

Loughborough Lightning have completed the signing of Scotland international Lucia Scott from Premiership Women’s Rugby champions, Gloucester-Hartpury.

The 21-year-old was named in Scotland’s extended training squad ahead of the Rugby World Cup later this year, alongside future Lightning team-mates Becky Boyd, Elis Martin, Anne Young, Leia Brebner-Holden and Helen Nelson.

Scott’s first call-up to the senior Scotland squad came ahead of the 2024 Vodafone Series and WXV 2 in South Africa, with her first cap coming against Wales in a 40-14 win at Hive Stadium. She has since gone on to earn five caps and scored her maiden try against Fiji in her second appearance. 

Originally from Gloucester, the fullback’s rugby career began at Bicester Rugby Club before joining Witney Rugby Club and then Gosford Rugby Club.

She was a key performer in Hartpury University’s 2022, 2023 and 2024 BUCS Super Rugby title-winning campaigns – the last of which saw her triumph over many of her new Lightning team-mates playing for Loughborough University.

Scott qualifies for Scotland through her grandparents Anne and Kenneth, having previously gained aged-grade honours with England. She has been involved with Gloucester-Hartpury through the pathway programme since 2022, and scored on her senior debut with a strong run to the line against Darlington Mowden Park, 14 minutes after coming on as a replacement, just two months after turning 18 years of age. 

“Moving to Loughborough Lightning is a really good opportunity for me,” Scott said. “I recently finished my studies at Hartpury and after five or so years, I felt the time was right for a change of club.

“I have got a lot to learn. I am ready to start getting better with my game and being around those sorts of players will be really good for me to learn a lot. 

“It has been a really exciting period for me. I’ve not been in the Scotland set-up for even a year, which seems crazy. Our preparations ahead of the Rugby World Cup are going really well and I am looking forward to what is ahead both internationally, and when I join up with Lightning.”

Lightning’s new signing has also played for Edinburgh in the Celtic Challenge and her score against Glasgow was named Scotland Women’s Try of the Season earlier this year.

Scott is Lightning’s third new signing ahead of the 2025/26 season, following the announcements that American internationals Tahlia Brody and Keia-Mae Sagapolu are joining from Leicester Tigers.

Loughborough Head Coach Nathan Smith said: “I have been really impressed with Lucia’s BUCS performances for Hartpury over the past two seasons.

“She is a player who deserves to get an opportunity to play in PWR more regularly, and I look forward to having her in our environment for the season ahead.”

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