Grace Clifford has challenged Loughborough Lightning to finish their JACEOO Next Gen Cup campaign with a flourish when they take on Leicester Tigers this weekend.
Lightning’s search for a first win of the season rolls into their fourth and final game of the pool stages, with an East Midlands Derby awaiting at Loughborough University on Saturday (kick-off: 2pm).
“We have set up a good platform to play some really good rugby and painted some decent pictures; I just think we need to be able to finish that,” said the tighthead prop.
“The pride that we take in our training and in ourselves, we need to translate that onto the pitch. What I am really excited for and hoping to see is some really good finishing pictures and seeing some of our younger players stepping up. I’d like to see those players have the opportunity to perform and use the pitch as their canvas.”
Saturday’s game is Lightning’s first match on campus at Loughborough University for a year, and the 22-year-old is excited by the prospect of taking on some familiar faces this weekend.
“We love playing at DPD Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, but there’s something special about us playing back in Loughborough,” she said. “It is a great opportunity for us to shine and show what we can do, and I am hoping there’s a great crowd too. The £1 student offer is an absolute bargain — it’ll be great to see everyone get behind the girls.
For Clifford, the Cup campaign has been an opportunity to rebuild and regain her involvement at senior level.
Following a road traffic accident in January 2024, Clifford suffered a broken pelvis, a dislocated hip, and broken bones in her back. A lengthy period on the sidelines ended in last season’s Cup campaign, before she returned to matchday squads for a PWR game at the end of the 2025/26 season – her first in nearly two-and-a-half years.
“It has been quite a journey for me,” said the former England U21 international. “Even though I am young, on the grand scheme of things, I am one of the more experienced players in the Cup squad.
“However, I have only played one and a half PWR games in the past four years, so I am in a really unique position where I can see both from the younger side and from the experienced players. I am just happy to be back on the pitch and feeling confident again. To be involved in the Lightning set-up for PWR would be amazing.”
Loughborough Lightning versus Leicester Tigers is free-of-charge to attended for Lightning Season Ticket Holders. Tickets are priced at £10 for adults, £7.50 for concessions, £1 for Loughborough University and Loughborough College Students, and tickets are free for Under-16s. For more information and to book tickets, please click HERE.