Scurfield and Scarratt start for Loughborough Lightning against Harlequins

Olympic Sevens silver medallist Krissy Scurfield will make her Loughborough Lightning debut against Harlequins this weekend.

The Canadian winger is one of seven personnel changes head coach Nathan Smith has made to his starting side ahead of the Premiership Women’s Rugby Round 4 encounter on Saturday 26 October (kick-off: 3pm) at the Twickenham Stoop – which is being streamed live on Harlequins’ YouTube channel.

Scurfield will be joined in the backs division by the experienced pairing of Emily Scarratt at outside centre and Helen Nelson at fly-half, as both make their first club appearances of the season having returned from WXV.

In the forwards, Rachel Malcolm also makes her first Lightning outing of the 2024/25 season as co-captain alongside fellow back rower, Daisy Hibbert-Jones, following the midweek announcement that they will be sharing the role this term.

Three replacements from last weekend’s victory over Sale Sharks are promoted to starting roles as Isla Curphey is in at loosehead prop, hooker Elis Martin makes her full debut from the start and Lilli Ives Campion is in the second row – where she is partnered by the PWR Player of the Round Hallie Taufoou, who moves in from the back row.

Having scored eight tries in seven games for club and country, Bo Westcombe-Evans remains on the left wing and Megan Davey is retained at scrum-half having crossed the line last weekend at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

Carmela Morrall – who has won more turnovers than any other back this season with five in three matches – starts at inside centre for a third successive league game this season.

There’s another returning player among the replacements as Scotland international Christine Belisle provides cover in the front row, alongside Kathryn Treder and Ameila Williams.

Forwards Becky Boyd and Issy Winter are also included in the matchday 23, with Leia Brebner-Holden, Lia Green and Bulou Mataitoga the additional backs at Smith’s disposal. 

“I was really pleased with the first half against Sale Sharks last week, we got our game out there on the pitch and played some excellent rugby,” said Smith. “The challenge now is to back that up against Harlequins and that is a challenge we’re really excited about.”

Loughborough Lightning’s next home match at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens is the East Midlands Derby with Leicester Tigers on Saturday 23 November (kick-off: 3pm). Tickets are available during the Early Bird discounted rate period priced from just £6* adults and £3* juniors – click HERE to book yours.

HARLEQUINS vs LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING 
Premiership Women’s Rugby, Round 4
Saturday 26 October, 2024
Kick-off: 3pm

15 Fran Goldthorp 
14 Krissy Scurfield – Loughborough Lightning debut/First PWR start
13 Emily Scarratt
12 Carmela Morrall
11 Bo Westcombe-Evans
10 Helen Nelson
9 Megan Davey

1 Isla Curphey
2 Elis Martin – First PWR start
3 Laura Keates
4 Hallie Taufoou
5 Lilli Ives Campion
6 Rachel Malcolm (cc)
7 Kendall Waudby
8 Daisy Hibbert-Jones (cc)

Replacements:
16 Kathryn Treder
17 Amelia Williams
18 Christine Belisle
19 Issy Winter
20 Becky Boyd
21 Leia Brebner-Holden
22 Lia Green
23 Bulou Mataitoga

HARLEQUINS: 15. Ellie Kildunne, 14. Katie Shillaker, 13. Sarah Parry, 12. Lagi Tuima, 11. Lisa Neumann, 10. Kayleigh Powell, 9. Lucy Packer (vc); 1. Silvia Turani, 2. Connie Powell, 3. Babalwa Latsha, 4. Danelle Lochner, 5. Kaitlan Leaney, 6. Abbie Fleming, 7. Alex Callender, 8. Jade Konkel (c)
Replacements: 16. Carys Phillips, 17. Laura Delgado, 18. Lizzie Hanlon, 19. Sarah Bonar, 20. Maja Meuller, 21. Freya Aucken, 22. Ella Cromack, 23. Izzy Mayhew