Sadia Kabeya makes her first Loughborough Lightning start of the 2024/25 season against Gloucester-Hartpury at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens this weekend.
The Red Roses flanker made her return to action from injury as a half-time replacement against Saracens last weekend, and will now operate from blindside flanker against the Premiership Women’s Rugby defending champions on Sunday (kick-off: 3pm) – tickets are still available priced from £7.50* adult and £3 junior.
Kabeya’s inclusion sees Hallie Taufoou rotated to a place among the replacements. Laura Keates is the only other change to the pack as she starts at tighthead prop.
Helena Rowland is ruled out following her injury suffered at the StoneX Stadium in Round 8, prompting a positional swich that will see Helen Nelson co-captain the team from fly-half.
The Scotland star produced two fine assists against Saracens, beating seven defenders on the way to her inclusion in the PWR team of the week, which also included USA star Alev Kelter as she bagged her second try in as many games.
Lia Green comes back into the side at fullback as Francesca Goldthorp misses out due to injury and Bulou Mataitoga is selected on the right wing.
Scotland international tighthead prop Christine Belisle returns to the matchday squad for the first time in a month among the replacements, which this week also includes versatile prop Isla Curphey, lock Issy Winter and winger Evelyn Clarke.
“We are delighted to have Sadia back in the starting line-up, she is undoubtedly a world-class player,” said head coach Nathan Smith. “She made a big impact against Saracens and we’re hoping for more of the same against Gloucester-Hartpury.
“It is testament to the work Kendall Waudby has done this season that she remains in the seven shirt for this game and I am really looking forward to seeing them working in tandem on Sunday at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.”
Elsewhere in the squad, Megan Davey draws levels with Katie Trevarthen at the top of Lightning’s all-time leading appearances’ list as she moves to 101 having hit triple figures last weekend.
Krissy Scurfield remains on the left wing as she goes in search of a fourth try in as many games and Daisy Hibbert-Jones co-captains the team from number eight.
LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING vs GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY
Premiership Women’s Rugby, Round 9
Sunday 8 December, 2024
Kick-off: 3pm
15 Lia Green
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 Sadia Kabeya
7 Kendall Waudby
8 Daisy Hibbert-Jones (cc)
Replacements:
16 Elis Martin
17 Isla Curphey
18 Christine Belisle
19 Issy Winter
20 Hallie Taufoou
21 Leia Brebner-Holden
22 Carmela Morrall
23 Evelyn Clarke
Unavailable for selection: Emma Wassell, Rachel Malcolm, Cath O’Donnell, Catherine Wells, Ellen Scantlebury, Bo Westcombe-Evans, Helena Rowland, Grace Clifford, Alicia Maude, Fran Goldthorp.
Next Home Match
*All tickets are subject to a £1.50 booking fee
