Daisy Hibbert-Jones returns to captain Loughborough Lightning in their final game of the 2025/26 season, away at Leicester Tigers this weekend.
The back row missed the Round 17 clash with Saracens as she continued her rehabilitation from ankle surgery following the injury she suffered ahead of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations. But the England international slots back into the back row for Sunday’s Premiership Women’s Rugby Round 18 encounter at Mattioli Woods Welford Road (kick-off: 3.30pm).
Head coach Nathan Smith has made three personnel changes and four positional switches for the East Midlands Derby, with Keevy Fitzpatrick coming in for the injured Lilli Ives Campion in the second row, and fellow Loughborough University student Amelia Williams – fresh from being named Lightning Supporters’ Player of the Season – stepping into the front row at loosehead prop.
Hooker Kathryn Treder, prop Christine Belisle and lock Becky Boyd keep their places in the tight five, as does Sadia Kabeya and Haineala Lutui in the back row.
Helen Nelson and Helena Rowland trade places in the backs division, with the former operating from fullback on her 80th and final outing in an African Violet shirt before leaving the club this summer.
Alev Kelter, PWR’s top beater of defenders (100) and gainline carrier (114), is restored to her regular position of outside centre, having operated from blindside flanker for the first half against Saracens. She completes a full season in the starting line-up, partnering Carmela Morrall, who is another ever-present in the Lightning run-outside, dominating the No.12 shirt throughout.
Bo Westcombe-Evans keeps her place on the left wing in her final game for the club, completing her ever-present run in Lightning’s PWR side this term. With one round of action remaining, her 11 tries see her sit one score behind the league’s leading try scorer, May Campbell of Saracens. She is partnered on the wings by USA international Bulou Mataitoga.
Departing prop Isla Curphey rotates to a place among the replacements, with fellow front rower Paige Stathopoulos and versatile back Lia Green also set to make their final appearances for the club.
Grace Clifford, Kaya Acton, Aoibhe Kelly and Lucia Scott retain their spots as replacements, with Tahlia Brody returning to the matchday squad having missed out last week.
“We have one last chance to make a memory as a group, and make sure that we send off the players who are leaving us after this game in the right way,” said Smith.
“I’m delighted to welcome Daisy back into the side. She has worked extremely hard to return before the end of the season, and she makes such a difference to this team — not only through her leadership but also her performance levels too.”
Sunday’s game will be streamed live on PWR’s YouTube channel.
LEICESTER TIGERS vs LIGHTNING
Premiership Women’s Rugby, Round 18
Sunday, June 7
Kick-off: 3.30pm
15 Helen Nelson (79)
14 Bulou Mataitoga (62)
13 Alev Kelter (26)
12 Carmela Morrall (60) (vc)
11 Bo Westcombe-Evans (62)
10 Helena Rowland (56)
9 Meg Davey (123)
1 Amelia Williams (30)
2 Kathryn Treder (42)
3 Christine Belisle (64)
4 Keevy Fitzpatrick (11)
5 Becky Boyd (25)
6 Daisy Hibbert-Jones (68) (c)
7 Sadia Kabeya (66)
8 Haineala Lutui (18)
Replacements:
16 Paige Stathopoulos (8)
17 Isla Curphey (50)
18 Grace Clifford (26)
19 Kaya Acton (3)
20 Tahlia Brody (14)
21 Aiobhe Kelly (2)
22 Lia Green (32)
23 Lucia Scott (12)
(Lightning appearances)
TIGERS: 15 Kristin Bitter, 14 Eve Slater, 13 Emily Henrich, 12 Jemima McCalman, 11 Karolina Kacirkova, 10 Tess Feury ©, 9 Zara Pickwick; 1 Katherine Baverstock, 2 Micke Gunter, 3 Nadine Vincent, 4 Ali Coleman, 5 Emerson Allen, 6 Jordan Russell, 7 Morgan Richardson, 8 Hermione Farmer.
Replacements: 16 Alana Bainbridge, 17 Danielle Allen-Solly, 18 Clodagh Dunne, 19 Tiana Gordon, 20 Rowann Sinclair, 21 Eneka Labeyrie, 22 Charlotte Daley, 23 Phoebe Andrews