Red Roses flanker and World Cup winner, Sadia Kabeya, is eagerly-anticipating Loughborough Lightning’s first home game at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens this weekend.
Five weeks on from her player-of-the-match performance in England’s victory over Canada at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, the 23-year-old will feel home support once more, but this time on Lightning duties, when she runs out to tackle Sale Sharks on Sunday 2 November (kick-off: 1pm) – tickets are available by clicking HERE.
“It’s amazing we always get a great crowd down at cinch Stadium,” Kabeya said.
“It’s always so nice to see the diversity; families, young kids or adults coming to watch the women’s game, or Northampton Saints supporters who watch the men’s game who have now been converted to Loughborough Lightning supporters as well.
“Not only is our viewership and our fanbase growing, it’s getting new people into the game as well.”
Lightning kicked off their Premiership Women’s Rugby 2025/26 season with a 52-42 Round 1 loss at Harlequins, under the Friday night lights.
Kabeya took the battle to the hosts, scoring a try and producing a remarkable break and assist for Bo Westcombe-Evans’ score. She also featured in the league-wide top ten players in five categories; metres made (joint 6th, 78m), offloads (J2nd, 4), defenders beaten (J7, 1st), line breaks (J2nd, 3) and gain line carries (J4th).
“This season we have a really good feeling about the group,” she added. “We ended last year on a really strong run of form. Obviously we didn’t get the win against Harlequins last weekend but watching it back there were a lot of positives to take from the performance.
“I think we’re building well, so a home game this weekend with that extra support and an extra week of training under our belts I‘m confident heading into Sunday.”
Kabeya was one of four Lightning players who returned to the club as World Cup winners, along with Lilli Ives Campion, Helena Rowland and Emily Scarratt. The biggest-ever edition of the tournament was one that delivered so many incredible moments, but also highlighted areas where growth hasn’t been quite as rapid.
“It feels like it was ages ago now, because it was a huge moment working for years to get to that point,” Kabeya continued.
“When I think back to my my first England call-up I was around all these superstars that I watched on TV and now I was playing alongside them. To actually be there, I had my first taste, I think that was the first time I realised that I could play for England.
“I think the World Cup did highlight the greatness of rugby; but also still kind of showed there’s still a way to go.
“Having teams like Samoa come into the World Cup and hearing their coach speak about how they’re just so grateful to be on the stage. We’re very grateful as Red Roses to be where we are as a team.”