Loughborough Lightning: Rugby World Cup Round-Up

Of the 17 players selected for the Rugby World Cup from Loughborough Lightning – Northampton Saints’ women’s team – nine remained in New Zealand as the tournament reached its semi-final stage.

Here, we look at how Lightning’s internationals fared as they strove to reach the final on what turned out to an incredible day of rugby at Eden Park…

Clubmates clash as England prevail

Five Loughborough players were involved in the first semi-final as tournament favourites England took themselves to within one game of glory – and extended their winning run to 30 matches – with a 26-19 victory over Canada.

Sarah Hunter once again captained the Red Roses, who were heavily expected to defeat their part-time opponents, while Emily Scarratt and Helena Rowland started at outside centre and full-back, respectively.

They came up against two of their Lightning team-mates as Courtney Holtkamp started for Canada in the second row while back rower Sara Svoboda came off the bench in the closing stages.

Loughborough quartet Sadia Kabeya, Cath O’Donnell, Morwenna Talling and Detysha Harper all watched from the stands for the second week running.

Scarratt finished the match with 11 points, the first two of these to convert Marlie Packer’s opening try and when Abby Dow went over for England’s second after 15 minutes, it looked as though the match was following the form guide.

However, from 12-0 down, Canada quickly pulled a try back through Karen Paquin before levelling five minutes before half-time when their captain Sophie de Goede converted Alysha Corrigan’s score.

Scarratt then restored England’s lead with two penalties either side of the break before Dow scored her second with a brilliant finish to round of a move started by Claudia MacDonald on the Red Roses’ own try line.

However, the match ended early for Rowland, as she was stretchered off with an injury and she later left the stadium on crutches.

Canada still refused to go quietly and pulled themselves back to within four points through a converted try by Tyson Beukeboom, but Scarratt’s third penalty ensured England came through what was a very tough test.

Black Ferns to meet Red Roses in final

If the first semi-final was a contender for match of the tournament, the second arguably surpassed it as hosts and holders New Zealand squeezed through 25-24 against France in an absolute thriller.

France led 10-0 as Romane Menager scored to add to Caroline Drouin’s early penalty, but Renee Holmes put the Black Ferns on the board with a penalty before Stacey Fluhler’s try after 35 minutes levelled the match.

Les Bleuets restored their lead through Gabrielle Vernier’s try just before half-time, but New Zealand, who are coached by former Saints head coach Wayne Smith, turned the match on its head after the break as Ruby Tui and Theresa Fitzpatrick both crossed the whitewash.

Their advantage was extended to 25-17 through Ruahei Demant’s penalty, but Menager’s second try in the 64th minute reduced the gap to one point and brought about an enthralling climax.

In the final minute, France had the chance to snatch victory when they were awarded a penalty 35 metres out, only for Drouin to drag her kick wide, with wild celebrations on and off the pitch from the hosts following seconds later.