183 days since their last competitive fixture, Loughborough Lightning return to action this weekend as they face Sale Sharks on Saturday (23 August, kick-off: 12pm) in the opening round of PWR: The Cup at Loughborough University.
Lightning rounded off the 2024/25 PWR season with a strong run of form, finishing off with a dramatic 36-34 victory over Trailfinders Women at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens back in February.
Now, Loughborough will look to kick-off the new term on the front foot, and with 14 international players away on Women’s Rugby World Cup duty, PWR: The Cup presents an exciting opportunity for the Club’s emerging talent to represent Lightning and build depth in the squad.
Out of the matchday 23, ten players were involved for England in this year’s Under-20s Six Nations Festival, and 11 played in the BUCS Super Rugby University final in Newport against Cardiff Met in April.
There's also a senior Lightning debut for Haineala Lutui from the start, while Polly Peterson, Tamsin Baynes and Ashton Adcock will all make their first appearances for the African Violets if they enter the action from amongst the replacements.
Daisy Hibbert-Jones (who features in her 29th consecutive competitive game for Lightning) captains the side after being named as the Club’s skipper for the upcoming season, with centre Carmela Morrall named as vice-captain for this clash.
Fullback Abbie Brown makes her first Loughborough appearance since 2022 after re-signing with Lightning over the summer, and prop Isla Curphey marks a return from injury – representing the African Violets for the first time since December 2024.
Ellie Roberts makes her first Lightning appearance since October 2024, when the flanker hyper-extended her knee against Trailfinders Women, before breaking her fibula five weeks later upon her return to BUCS action – leading to a further five months out of acton.
There’s also a long-awaited return to action in store for replacement tighthead, Grace Clifford, who pulls on a Lightning jersey for the first time in 18 months. A mini-documentary about Grace‘s recovery from a terrible car crash was released this week and is available to view HERE.
Loughborough Lightning vs Sale Sharks
PWR: The Cup, Round 1
Saturday 23 August, 2025
Kick-off: 12pm
15 Abbie Brown
14 Evelyn Clarke
13 Ellie Tromans
12 Carmela Morrall (vc)
11 Ellen Scantlebury
10 Lia Green
9 Megan Davey
1 Isla Curphey
2 Lucy Calladine
3 Christine Belisle
4 Keevy Fitzpatrick
5 Haineala Lutui – Lightning debut
6 Kendall Waudby
7 Ellie Roberts
8 Daisy Hibbert-Jones (c)
Replacements:
16 Polly Peterson – Lightning debut
17 Amelia Williams
18 Grace Clifford
19 Tamsin Baynes – Lightning debut
20 Lucy Finch
21 Ashton Adcock – Lightning debut
22 Molly Luthayi
23 Cieron Bell
Tickets for Lightning versus Sale Sharks at Loughborough University are available priced from just £10 (adult 18+), £8 (concession), £5 (junior 11-17) and £3 (child 3-10). All children under the age of three can attend free of charge. To purchase tickets, click HERE.
Loughborough Lightning 2025/26 Season Tickets are still available HERE, priced* from just £65 (adult) and £30 juniors.
*Season Ticket prices are subject to a booking fee of £2.50 per Season Ticket, plus £10 admin fee for Direct Debit.
