Loughborough Lightning’s first four fixtures of the 2025/26 season have been confirmed with the release of the Premiership Women’s Rugby Cup pool stage games.
The PWR cup is a bold, future-focused tournament designed to spotlight and accelerate the next generation of English rugby talent that starts on Saturday, 23 August 2025, and culminates in a showcase final on the weekend of 11-12 October, allowing PWR to celebrate the Rugby World Cup.
The pool stages will run alongside the global tournament, allowing fans and players to celebrate rugby together. The PWR Cup final will be staged two weeks after the Rugby World Cup final, and will be broadcast live on PWR's YouTube channel.
Due to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens being a host venue for SIX World Cup games, Lightning’s home PWR Cup matches will be played at Loughborough University.
Nathan Smith’s side have been placed in Pool B alongside Sale Sharks, Leicester Tigers, Saracens and Bristol Bears.
Lightning’s home games are against Sale Sharks on Saturday 23 August (kick-off: 12pm) and Saracens on Saturday 6 September (kick-off: 2pm).
They travel to Lichfield RFC to face Leicester Tigers on Sunday 31 August (kick-off: 2pm) before concluding their pool stage commitments at Shaftesbury Park against Bristol Bears on Saturday 13 September (kick-off: 1pm).
Now firmly established as a cornerstone of the elite women’s rugby calendar, the PWR Cup offers a high-performance, competitive platform for emerging stars, bridging the critical gap between academy development and full Premiership and international squads.
“The PWR Cup is where fearless, next-generation talent meets elite competition,” said PWR’s League and Operations Manager, Amy Walmsley.
“It’s a key part of our vision to build a thriving and inspiring future for women’s rugby in England — one that starts with opportunity.
“The PWR Cup competition celebrates development, ambition, and bold, entertaining rugby.”
Lightning’s PWR Cup fixtures:
- Saturday 23 August (kick-off: 12pm) versus Sale Sharks (H)
- Sunday 31 August (kick-off: 2pm) versus Leicester Tigers (A)
- Saturday 6 September (kick-off: 2pm) versus Saracens (H)
- Saturday 13 September (kick-off: 1pm) versus Bristol Bears (A)
