Westcombe-Evans returns for Lightning’s opener with Sale Sharks

Bo Westcombe-Evans starts for Loughborough Lightning as they take on Sale Sharks in the PWR Up Series opener this weekend.

The prolific tryscoring winger, who crossed the line 14 times in 20 appearances last term, has been away in the senior Red Roses squad for the past month but has been released back to her Club for the fixture being held at the CorpAcq Stadium on Saturday (kick-off: 2pm).

Number eight Daisy Hibbert-Jones captains Lightning against her former club while summer signing Alicia Maude starts at scrum-half as one of the vice-captains, with fellow nine Meg Davey operating as a second vice-captain among the replacements.

There’s also a first outing in Lightning colours for recent new signing, Ellie Tromans. The Wales Under-20 international goes straight in at outside centre, lining up alongside Carmela Morrall – who is one of five players who appeared for England U20 this summer who are in the starting line-up.

Prop Amelia Williams, hooker Lucy Calladine, winger Evelyn Clarke and fly-half Lia Green are the others while back-row forwards Ellie Roberts and Lucy Finch are among the replacements. Lucy Finch (Ireland) and Cana Williams (Wales) also participated in the Six Nations U20 Festival this summer.

The average age of the squad is just 22, with the most senior participants being the USA Eagles international pairing of Bulou Mataitoga – who starts at fullback – and Hallie Tafoou, who is on the bench.

The pack is completed by tighthead prop Isla Curphey, the second row pairing of Keevy Fitzpatrick and Issy Winter, while Becky Boyd and Kendall Waudby pack down at blindside and openside flanker respectively.

Props Katherine Baverstock and Tiwaah Adjei-Ansere await their chance from the replacements, while Freya McColl provides the third backs option from the bench at head coach Nathan Smith’s disposal.

“We’re excited to get out there and test ourselves on the pitch,” said Smith. “Our preseason with a young group has gone extremely well and we’re looking forward to continuing our preparations and learning more about the players against what is a very experienced Sale side.”

Saturday’s game is Lightning’s first PWR Up Series fixture, the second is back at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday 21 September when Leicester Tigers are the visitors (kick-off: 3pm). Match tickets are available by clicking here now, priced from £7.50* adult / £3* child, please click HERE.

Lightning’s Premiership Women’s Rugby season then gets underway on Saturday 5 October (kick-off: 3pm). Match tickets are available now from £6* adult / £3* child, please click HERE.

Loughborough Lightning season tickets for the 2024/25 Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby season are available now priced from just £40** adult and £20** child. For more information, please click HERE.

LIGHTNING TEAM TO FACE SALE SHARKS
Saturday 7 September (kick-off: 2pm)
PWR Up Series
CorpAcq Stadium

15. Bulou Mataitoga
14. Evelyn Clarke
13. Ellie Tromans
12. Carmela Morrall
11. Bo Westcombe-Evans
10. Lia Green
9. Alicia Maude (vice-captain)

1. Amelia Williams
2. Lucy Calladine
3. Isla Curphey
4. Keevy Fitzpatrick
5. Issy Winter
6. Becky Boyd
7. Kendall Waudby
8. Daisy Hibbert-Jones (captain)

Replacements:
16. Katherine Baverstock
17. Cana Williams
18. Tiwaah Adjei-Ansere
19. Hallie Taufoou
20. Lucy Finch
21. Ellie Roberts
22. Meg Davey (vice-captain)
23. Freya MacColl

 *All ticket prices are subject to a £1.50 booking fee. **All Season Tickets are subject to a £2.50 booking fee.