For the best part of five months, Ellie Roberts found herself without her ‘release’. As the old saying goes, sport can be cruel – and the Loughborough Lightning flanker can certainly attest to its validity.
Wind back the clock a year; Lightning kicked off their Premiership Women’s Rugby season with an opportunity for an openside flanker to grab the number seven shirt following Sadia Kabeya’s injury setback.
With only four 2023/24 Cup appearances to her name, it was Roberts who filled those sizeable boots for Lightning’s first game of the 2024/25 PWR campaign at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens against Bristol Bears, and she remained in the matchday squad for the fixture that followed a week later.
A disappointing loss on the road to Trailfinders Women was compounded by Roberts hyper-extending her knee, leading to five weeks on the sidelines. Her return, in Loughborough University colours, was a brief and ill-fated one when an unfortunate landing from an opponent broke her fibula and caused ligament damage.
It was a lot for any sportsperson to manage, let alone a then 20-year-old who had tasted the sweet nectar of breakthrough success, only be brought crashing back down to earth by the sour tang of misfortune.
“Being injured was really tough,” she said. “Lots of people talk about injuries in sport but nothing really prepares you mentally be in that place yourself.
“After I got injured in the Trailfinders game, I felt like I was really missing out, watching everybody training and playing and really wanting to be there, but having to stand on the sidelines.
“Then getting back and making my return against Exeter University and 30 minutes later, being on my way to A&E.
“That was really hard to get my head around when I realised how bad my injury was and how long I was going to be out.”
Ellie Roberts
“I feel like one of the things I struggled with the most was structure – going from training three or four times a week with a matchday being quite disciplined with everything I do, to having loads of free time to and getting lost in my thoughts. That was tough.”
Roberts threw herself into the second year of her psychology degree and her job in marketing, but the itch wasn’t being scratched.
“Nothing gave me that release,” she said. “That was the really tough part because I went from being out for a supposed three months and ended up being out for five.”
The condensed nature of the 2024/25 PWR season ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup meant her Lightning season was over, but the opportunity to return in BUCS colours remained tantalisingly on the horizon as the African Violets progressed to a second consecutive final.
Remarkably, Roberts worked her way back into contention for that showpiece game at Valley Parade against Cardiff Met in April.
“I did my first run two weeks before the final,” Roberts admitted. “The physio team put everything into me and did everything we could to get back and luckily it paid off.
“It was 50:50 if I’d make it back in time. Being able to play that game was quite special, the result didn’t go our way but it was really special to be a part of the team after I missed quite a lot.
“I’m extremely thankful to the physio team here at Loughborough. Particularly Doctor Chris (Wright) and Becks (Rebecca Brown). They were there through thick and thin and many a tear, they supported me all the way through.
“I definitely wouldn’t have made it back to the final without them. I am very grateful for all their help.”
Ellie Roberts
All those hard yards paid off when, for a second season running, Roberts was picked as Lightning’s openside flanker for a season-opening game when Sale Sharks were the visitors for a PWR: The Cup clash last weekend.
“I was excited and proud to see I was starting,” Roberts explained. “Obviously it was long journey and a very long preseason for everyone throughout the team. I was really quite proud of how I got there. It is always a massive honour to pull on a Lightning shirt and be part of that team.”
Lightning fell just short of an opening game victory but salvaged plenty of positives from the 28-37 loss going into this Sunday’s Round 2 trip to Lichfield RUFC’s Cooke Fields to take on Leicester Tigers – with Roberts fit, firing and in contention to feature after ending her ten-month wait to resume her Lightning career.
“I’m really excited for Derby Day,” said the 21-year-old. “It is always a big battle and a big occasion. Am I ready for it? Totally. We know what Tigers are going to bring, we know they are going to come at us with a load of energy.
“I am excited after the training week we’ve had and everything we’ve built on improving from against Sale, I am really excited for the performance we’re going to put out against them. There is a great vibe in the group, bring on Sunday!”
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