Loughborough Lightning have added two internationals to their squad ahead of the Premiership Women’s Rugby 2023/24 season.
Kathryn Treder and Hallie Taufoou will be wearing Africa Violet shirts when they return from international duty with USA Women’s Eagles in the inaugural WXV2 tournament this autumn.
Before flying out to South Africa, hooker Treder and second row Taufoou both started in the 38-18 friendly defeat to Wales last weekend alongside fellow Lightning player, Bulou Mataitoga.
Taufoou become the 300th woman to be capped by the USA when she made her debut against Canada in 2021 and now has 11 international appearances to her name.
This is the 29-year-old’s second spell with Lightning having played 11 times during the 2021/22 season.
Treder has been capped 13 times by the USA after making her debut back in 2019 against Canada. The 27-year-old joins Lightning from DMP Sharks, whom she joined midway through the 2022/23 season, making ten appearances.
“We’re delighted to be adding Kathryn and Hallie to our squad ahead of the PWR season,” said Lightning head coach Nathan Smith. “Both are familiar with the game in England and will add to what we already have here as we look to kick on this season.
“We wish them both luck, along with Bulou, in the Eagles’ WXV2 campaign and we look forward to them teaming up with Lightning upon its conclusion.”
The Eagles kick off their WXV2 against Samoa on Saturday 14 October (kick-off: 1pm BST) against Samoa in Stellenbosch. Then, on Friday 20 October (kick-off: 1pm) they face Scotland – who have five Lightning players in their WXV squad – in Cape Town. The Eagles remain in the same city for their final WXV2 match on Saturday 28 October (kick-off: 4pm), against Italy.
Treder and Taufoou join 21 others in signing for, or recommitting to, Lightning ahead of the upcoming Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby season.
For the first time this term, Loughborough’s home league matches will be played at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens – Season Tickets covering all nine games are available now and start from just £60 adult / £45 adult terrace / £25 junior (under-18s).
