Head Coach Nathan Smith highlighted the impact made by many young players in his squad after Loughborough Lightning kicked off their season with a PWR: The Cup loss to Sale Sharks.
While the final result (28-37) went the way of the visitors to Loughborough University on Saturday, there was plenty for Lightning to take away from the fixture as five players made their debuts and many others ended long spells out injured.
Included among debutants were 18-year-olds Tamsin Baynes and Ashton Adcock, who were given plenty of game time from the bench as Smith leads a youthful group while 14 players are away representing their countries at the Rugby World Cup.
“Tamsin and Ashton were playing for Loughborough College last year, I thought they really stepped up,” said Smith. “They didn’t just come on and played, they added to the game, Ashton’s speed of ball was really good and Tamsin showed some nice touches and moments too.”
Lightning trailed by three points at the break despite tries from Meg Davey and Lia Green. Ellen Scantlebury and Cieron Bell added further scores after the break – all converted by Green who finished with 13 points on Saturday – but Sale added four tries to their first-half haul of three to claim the Round 1 spoils.
“I am immensely proud of the group,” added Smith. “We did say on Thursday night, post training, we will know where we are after this match and we certainly do know where we are now. I thought in terms of the age profile of the team was good.
“This Cup period is a development tool for us and it is a very different group to what finished the 2024/25 season back in February with so many players making their first steps into senior rugby.”
Loughborough Lightning Head Coach, Nathan Smith
“On reflection we created enough opportunities to win the game but we just weren’t tough enough in certain areas, five metres out, which we need to get better at fast.”
Haineala Lutui, 19, earned Lightning appearance number one from the start, Polly Peterson – who is on dual registration with Buckingham Swans – arrived from the bench as did Lottie Buffery-Latham – who was called back from her plans to watch Wales versus Scotland at Salford Community Stadium to man the bench
The latter’s involvement was necessitated by captain Daisy Hibbert-Jones’ late withdrawal due to illness, which ended her 28-game unbroken streak in a Lightning matchday squad.
Lucy Finch was promoted to the starting lineup and the captaincy was handed to Carmela Morrall, while fellow England U20 Lucy Calladine was given vice-captaincy duties.
“Obviously it was really disappointing Daisy didn’t play due to illness, however it was a great opportunity for further development,” explained Smith. “I thought Cam [Morrall] and Lucy Calladine stepped up really well captaining the team. What an experience for them, two 20-year-olds to captain a Premiership team, all credit to them.”
Isla Curphey (36 weeks), Ellie Roberts (45 weeks) and Grace Clifford (84 weeks) all made their Lightning playing returns after lengthy periods out on the sidelines, GB 7s star Abbie Brown played her first Loughborough game since 2022 from fullback while Bell and Ellie Tromans played their first Lightning games since October 2024.
More than 400 people filled the sidelines for a first Lightning game staged at Loughborough University’s Epinal Way since January 2024 – which wasn’t lost on Smith.
He said: “We love playing at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens but it was nice to be back here in Loughborough for a matchday. There were so many families of players here to watch players achieve personal milestones in front of their loved ones, which was really special.”
Next up for Smith’s side is an East Midlands Derby with Leicester Tigers on Sunday 31 August, a match that will be hosted by Lichfield RUFC (kick-off: 2pm).
