Sadia Kabeya returns to the Loughborough Lightning starting line-up for this weekend’s encounter with Bristol Bears at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
A minor injury concern ruled the World Cup winner out of Lightning’s first two games of 2026, but the Red Roses star returns at openside flanker for Sunday’s Premiership Women’s Rugby Round 12 fixture (kick-off: 3pm) – tickets are available by clicking HERE.
Kabeya is one of three personnel changes to the run-out side that was defeated at Exeter Chiefs last weekend, as Fancy Bermudez starts on the right wing and Anne Young gets the nod at loosehead prop. She will pack down alongside hooker Kathryn Treder – who scored her 24th try in 36 Lightning appearances last weekend – and tighthead prop Mae Sagapolu, fresh from her new contract being announced this week.
There’s three positional switches too as Bulou Mataitoga moves from wing to fullback, with Bo Westcombe-Evans completing the back three.
Rachel Ehrecke showcases her versatility by moving in from the back row to lock where she will partner Lilli Ives Campion – who was awarded the Built for Athletes Player of the Match last time out – and runs out for her 75th Lightning appearance on Sunday.
Captain Daisy Hibbert-Jones continues her journey across the back row positions as she switches to blindside flanker, with Haineala Lutui remaining at No.8 hoping to build on her 205 post-contact metres made in her debut top-flight season.
The league’s top beater of defenders (53), Alev Kelter, extends her season-long midfield partnership with Carmela Morrall, while Lis Maude and Helen Nelson wear the pivotal nine and ten shirts once more.
Isla Curphey, Becky Boyd, Tahlia Brody and Lucia Scott – who were all starters in Round 11 – await their chance to impress as replacements this weekend along with Paige Stathopoulos, Christine Belisle, Kendall Waudby and Aoibhe Kelly.
Lightning have not lost at cinch Stadium in over a year, and Smith is keen to keep that record going this weekend.
“It’s a record we’re proud of and we want to extend,” said Smith. “But we are under no illusions just how difficult this is going to be up against a Bristol side that has really clicked since returning from Christmas.
“We’ve had some good results against Bristol away from home in recent times, for us the focus now is on delivering at home as we play in front of our own supporters for the first time in two months.”
LIGHTNING vs BRISTOL BEARS
Premiership Women’s Rugby, Round 12
Sunday, February 22
Kick-off: 3pm
15 Bulou Mataitoga
14 Fancy Bermudez
13 Alev Kelter
12 Carmela Morrall
11 Bo Westcombe-Evans
10 Helen Nelson
9 Lis Maude
1 Anne Young
2 Kathryn Treder
3 Mae Sagapolu
4 Lilli Ives Campion
5 Rachel Ehrecke
6 Daisy Hibbert-Jones (c)
7 Sadia Kabeya
8 Haineala Lutui
Replacements:
16 Paige Stathopoulos
17 Isla Curphey
18 Christine Belisle
19 Becky Boyd
20 Tahlia Brody
21 Kendall Waudby
22 Aoibhe Kelly
23 Lucia Scott
Bristol Bears: 15. Ella Lovibond, 14. Jaz Joyce, 13. Emma Orr, 12. Meryl Smith, 11. Millie David, 10. Ruahei Demant (cc), 9. Keira Bevan; 1. Maisie Davies, 2. Lana Skeldon, 3. Sarah Bern (cc), 4. Hollie Cunningham, 5. Delaney Burns, 6. Christiana Balogun, 7. Pamphinette Buisa, 8. Evie Gallagher.
Replacements: 16. Amy Dale, 17. Aisha Jah, 18. Elliann Clarke, 19. Demelza Short, 20. Jenny Herring, 21. Jenny Hesketh, 22. Jenna De Vera, 23. Chloe Daniels.