Versatile back Lia Green believes her game and confidence is growing being surrounded by the world-class stars in Loughborough Lightning’s squad.
The 20-year-old student was selected in a backs division against Gloucester-Hartpury that included 222 international caps between Emily Scarratt, Helen Nelson, Alev Kelter and Bulou Mataitoga.
The England Under-20s international is a fine example of the pathway in place at Loughborough, as she juggles her studies, playing BUCS rugby for Loughborough University and cutting her teeth in Premiership Women’s Rugby.
“Playing alongside players like Nelly and Scaz and having Alev coming in has been really good for having that confidence,” said Green. “With that calibre of players around me, they are helping me become a better player. Learning from them is really important for my development.”
It was the 15 shirt that Green wore in the 31-7 loss to Gloucester-Hartpury, as she once more showcased her versatility having also started two games at flyhalf this season.
“When I play fullback, I get that freedom to be able to play outside of the other backs,” she explained. “Everyone across the back line can kick, to have those first receivers if Nelly is in a breakdown I can always help and step in. It just gives us that flow to our backline even if our ten or first receiver is down.”
Green, who scored her first Lightning try in her previous appearance against Sale Sharks, crossed for Loughborough’s only try late on when she arrived to finish well from a Nelson pass.
“The aim of the game of rugby is to score tries, so it was really good to end up with that try at the end.”
Lia Green
“We had been working all game to get that try and we had good spells of possession but we didn't quite execute on that. So, to be able to get that try and get something out of the game, was really important for us.
“The conditions were really tough. The wind made it really difficult to judge where the kicks were going and Gloucester did really well with the tactical kicking, putting the pressure back on us and it paid off for them in the end.”
Next up for Lightning is the visit of Harlequins to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens this Saturday (kick-off: 3.05pm) followed by a trip to Sale Sharks seven days later for their final match of 2024.
With the second half of the 2024/25 PWR season commencing this weekend, Green knows time is of the essence for Lightning to start picking up points to rise up the table.
“It is really important that we go out with a good mentality going into this Christmas block and get something out of the next two games. Going forward, we’ve got Quins and Sale and they are games which we want to go out and want to get some points from, it’s really important.”
Tickets are available for Saturday’s match against Harlequins at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, priced from £7.50* adult and £3* junior, by clicking HERE.
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* All tickets are subject to a £1.50 booking fee.
