Head coach Nathan Smith makes two changes to the Loughborough Lightning starting line-up for this Saturday’s clash with Harlequins (kick-off: 3.05pm).
Francesca Goldthorp returns after injury ruled her out of the loss Gloucester-Hartpury to slot back in at fullback and USA international Hallie Taufoou packs down at blindside flanker at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens – tickets are still available priced from £7.50* adult and £3* junior by clicking HERE.
Sadia Kabeya, who made a league-wide best 26 tackles in Round 9 upon her return to the starting line-up for the first time in five months, switches to the openside for the match that is being televised live on TNT Sports.
The reshuffle means Kendall Waudby is rotated to a place among the replacements, having started all eight PWR matches this season, making 131 tackles along the way – 17 more than the nearest player in the league.
Becky Boyd replaces Issy Winter among the replacements while Lia Green, who scored her second try in as many games against Gloucester-Hartpury last weekend – is the third backs option along with scrum-half Leia Brebner-Holden and Carmela Morrall.
Scrum-half Megan Davey becomes Lightning’s all-time record appearance maker as she surpasses the 101 set by Katie Trevarthen before her retirement earlier this year.
Helen Nelson remains at flyhalf as co-captain, Alev Kelter and Emily Scarratt are partnered in the centres for a third successive match and winger Krissy Scurfield will seek to add to her three tries and six breakdown turnovers from just five games in PWR. Bulou Mataitoga retains her place on the right wing.
PWR’s top lineout poaching forward Lilli Ives Campion packs down in the second row for a fourth successive match alongside fellow lock Abby Duguid and the all-international front row trio of Anne Young (Scotland), Kathryn Treder (USA) and Laura Keates (England) start together for a third-straight game.
The alternative front row options among the replacements also remains unchanged as Scottish internationals Elis Martin and Christine Belisle are included, along with Isla Curphey – whose second-half appearance saw her beat six defenders and included in the PWR Team of the Week.
Co-captain and number eight Daisy Hibbert-Jones starts for a 21st successive league match, the last time Lightning ran out for a PWR without the 22-year-old was just over a year ago when she was a replacement against Bristol Bears.
Head coach Nathan Smith said: “We’re all desperate to get back out there at cinch Stadium and put right the wrongs from the Gloucester-Hartpury game.
“It is our last opportunity of the calendar year to produce a performance in front or our own supporters and we’re focused on delivering that and build some momentum heading into the second half of the season.”
LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING vs HARLEQUINS
Premiership Women’s Rugby, Round 10
Saturday 14 December, 2024
Kick-off: 3.05pm
15 Francesca Goldthorp
14 Bulou Mataitoga
13 Emily Scarratt
12 Alev Kelter
11 Krissy Scurfield
10 Helen Nelson (cc)
9 Megan Davey
1 Anne Young
2 Kathryn Treder
3 Laura Keates
4 Abby Duguid
5 Lilli Ives Campion
6 Hallie Taufoou
7 Sadia Kabeya
8 Daisy Hibbert-Jones (cc)
Replacements:
16 Elis Martin
17 Isla Curphey
18 Christine Belisle
19 Becky Boyd
20 Kendall Waudby
21 Leia Brebner-Holden
22 Carmela Morrall
23 Lia Green
Unavailable for selection: Emma Wassell, Rachel Malcolm, Cath O’Donnell, Catherine Wells, Ellen Scantlebury, Bo Westcombe-Evans, Helena Rowland, Grace Clifford, Alicia Maude.
Harlequins: 15. Ellie Kildunne 14. Beth Wilcock 13. Clàudia Peña 12.Lagi Tuima 11. Lisa Neumann 10.Kayleigh Powell 9. Freya Aucken 1.Silvia Turani 2. Connie Powell 3.Lizzie Hanlon 4. Abbie Fleming 5.Kaitlan Leaney 6. Nicole Wythe 7.Alex Callender 8. Jade Konkel (c)
Replacements: 16. Carys Phillips 17. Jessie Spurrier 18. Laura Delgado 19. Danelle Lochner 20. Sarah Bonar 21. Emma Swords 22. Sarah Parry 23. Maja Meuller
Next Home Match
