Hibbert-Jones: Lightning willing to fight until 85th minute

Daisy Hibbert-Jones shared her pride in how Loughborough Lightning took the fight to Gloucester-Hartpury and picked up a bonus point for their efforts on Saturday.

Lightning's opponents, the reigning Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby champions, entered the Round 7 match off the back of four-straight victories this term and made it five with a 42-24 win at Hartpury University Stadium.

While there was disappointment in losing on the road, Loughborough once more flexed their muscles against one of the division’s top teams having pushed Exeter Chiefs all the way before Christmas, and two late tries on Saturday ensured they didn’t head home from Gloucestershire empty-handed.

Number eight Hibbert-Jones featured in both of those fixtures and shared her thoughts on how Lightning have fronted up against both of last season’s Allianz PWR finalists.

“I spoke to the girls about this after Exeter, I think an old Lightning side would’ve quite happily have let a game like that slip,” she said. “Then again today, I think because we managed to score two tries towards the end of that half and get a losing bonus point is a massive credit to the girls.

“Those tries that we scored showed the talent we have in the squad and the ability we have if we are brave.”

Bravery was a key theme of the trip to Gloucestershire and 21-year-old Hibbert-Jones, who made her Red Roses debut earlier this year, gave an insight into what was said at the interval by head coach Nathan Smith when Loughborough trailed 28-14.

“We have had our confidence knocked, we have been desperate to try and earn respect off other teams, earn respect off our own team, the new coaching set-up that we’ve got,” added Hibbert-Jones. “Us being able to be brave, that is what creates those opportunities.

“In the changing room at half-time, Nathan was telling us that we need to have belief in ourselves. He said ‘I can’t give you that, no-one else can give you that’ – it’s just between us girls that are on the field to instil that between each other.

“In previous years, Gloucester might’ve seen this as a really easy win but we had to make them work for that win and I am proud to be a part of the team that have done that.”

Smith highlighted how the whole 23-player squad made an impact against Gloucester-Hartpury in his post-match comments and it was a theme Hibbert-Jones expanded upon with the praise stretching beyond those who made the team sheet.

“In games like this when we are starting to fatigue because it is a very physical, up-front game, it is vital those players come on and bring that energy and they really did do that,” she said.

“They did change the game when they came on and you can’t ask more off the bench than that. To have a full 23 squad effort, I think every single player and the players who have helped us prepare this week that weren’t successful have allowed us to be the team we are.

“That competitiveness within training only makes everybody get better and ultimately means that the best 23 are on the field at the weekend, but that competition and challenge within training in the week is perfect for us.”