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Rachel Malcolm returns for Lightning to take on Saracens

Rachel Malcolm is in line to make her return to action for Loughborough Lightning after being named in the matchday squad to take on Saracens this weekend.

Sunday’s Premiership Women’s Rugby Round 12 encounter (kick-off: 5.30pm) is the second part of a Double Header of fixtures at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, following on from the Gallagher Premiership meeting of Northampton Saints and Bath Rugby (kick-off: 3pm).

Co-captain Malcolm has been included as a replacement having recovered from the ankle injury she suffered in her only Lightning appearance of the season so far against Harlequins back in October 2024.

Joining her among the replacements is new signing Courtney Holtkamp. The 40-times capped Canada lock is set to make her second Lightning debut having made 18 appearances during the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons.

Lightning have two players making their 50th appearances on Sunday as lock Abby Duguid and open side flanker Sadia Kabeya both make the starting line-up – which is unchanged for a third successive round of PWR action.

Krissy Scurfield, fresh from scoring four tries against Sale Sharks that earned her the Player of Round 11 accolade, remains on the left wing with Bulou Mataitoga and fullback Francesca Goldthorp completing the back three.

The centre partnership for a fifth-straight game sees 116-times capped Red Roses star Emily Scarratt line up next to three-time Olympian Alev Kelter, who goes up against the club with whom she won the 2021/22 PWR title. The American enters the match on fine form having bagged her fourth try in five games last time out, as well as beating a round-high 11 defenders in the 50-7 away success.

Helen Nelson moves to fifth on the all-time Lightning appearance makers’ list, making her 65th outing from fly-half. The Scotland international does so alongside her half-back partner for a fourth successive game and the player at the top of that list, scrum-half Meg Davey.

Also moving up a place in the Lightning all-time list is 21-year-old Lilli Ives Campion, whose 62nd outing for the African Violets sees her move one clear of injured teammate Cath O’Donnell and the retired Sarah Hunter, into eighth position.

Hooker Kathryn Treder will be looking to add to her impressive haul of three tries in two games, and 15 in 21 Lightning career appearances, as she packs down along side props Anne Young and Laura Keates once more in the front row. 

Blindside flanker Hallie Taufoou, who is the PWR’s leading lineout poacher with eight steals this term, and number eight and co-captain Daisy Hibbert-Jones complete the pack for Sunday’s showdown.

The front-row trio of Amelia Williams, Elis Martin and Christine Belisle await their chance to impress from among the replacements in a six-two split that also sees the league’s second mot prolific tackler, Kendall Waudby, included. Meanwhile, Leia Brebner-Holden and Carmela Morrall provide the backs options.

“Sunday’s Double Header promises to be a magnificent occasion and it is one we’re all massively excited for,” said Lightning head coach Nathan Smith. “Our last game before Christmas against Sale Sharks saw us play with a confidence that I want us to carry into this match.

“We’re delighted to welcome back Scotty [Rachel Malcolm] and we’re looking forward to reintroducing Courtney [Holtkamp] back to the PWR. The availability of both players has provided some real selection headaches and competition for places is fierce entering the final rounds of the season.”

LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING vs SARACENS
Premiership Women’s Rugby, Round 12
Sunday January 5, 2025
Kick-off: 5.30pm

15 Francesca Goldthorp 
14 Bulou Mataitoga
13 Emily Scarratt
12 Alev Kelter  
11 Krissy Scurfield
10 Helen Nelson 
9 Megan Davey 

1 Anne Young 
2 Kathryn Treder
3 Laura Keates
4 Abby Duguid – 50th Lightning appearance
5 Lilli Ives Campion
6 Hallie Taufoou
7 Sadia Kabeya – 50th Lightning appearance
8 Daisy Hibbert-Jones (cc)

Replacements:
16 Elis Martin
17 Amelia Williams
18 Christine Belisle
19 Courtney Holtkamp
20 Kendall Waudby
21 Rachel Malcolm (cc)
22 Leia Brebner-Holden 
23 Carmela Morrall 

Unavailable for selection: Emma Wassell, Cath O’Donnell, Catherine Wells, Ellen Scantlebury, Bo Westcombe-Evans, Helena Rowland, Grace Clifford, Isla Curphey, Alicia Maude.

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