Loughborough Lightning can today confirm that 12 Loughborough University players will step up from BUCS Super Rugby into the senior Lightning environment for the 2026/27 season.
These agreements will see Ashton Adcock, Ella Barnes, Alice Bennett, Izzy Clist, Emily Heaps, Lilly Hickey, Aoibhe Kelly, Freya MacColl, Imogen Mockford, Alice Redfern, Sasha Roberts, and Harli Stanton join up with the wider Lightning squad throughout the campaign alongside their studies.
The group will still also remain eligible to play in BUCS Super Rugby for Loughborough University.
“We’re incredibly excited by this group of players,” said Lightning Head Coach Nathan Smith. “The agreements with these players continues a long-standing tradition of developing players in the Loughborough University side who go on to represent Lightning.
“The Lightning DNA and recruitment strategy for players at is high potential and high character, and each of these individuals exemplifies those characteristics, and we’re looking forward to having them in our environment.”
Transition Coach with Loughborough Lightning Matt Campbell added: “Each of these players has excelled in our BUCS Super Rugby environment, with eleven of the players featuring in our victorious BUCS Super Rugby title-winning matchday 23.”
Ashton Adcock (Scrum-Half)
Lightning #146, Adcock has already debuted in African Violet – featuring in last year’s PWR Cup as a replacement against both Sale Sharks and Leicester Tigers.
Adcock’s rugby journey took her through Northampton Saints’ Residential camps, where she attended Stowe School and met her future teammates, and the scrum-half has since gone on to represent England Under-21s at the age of just 18.
On Adcock, Campbell said: “Ashton is an absolute livewire at 9, works really hard on her fundamentals outside of normal training and packs a serious punch in defence.
“She’s always so exciting to watch, especially as opposition teams get a bit more tired and start to leave space around the ruck.”
Aoibhe Kelly (Scrum-Half)
Still just 18 years old, Kelly is another who has already worn an African Violet shirt – making her Lightning and Premiership Women’s Rugby to become Lightning #157 in February 2026.
The scrum-half who played for Leinster and Ireland Under-18s prior to her move to England went on to make a further two appearances last season, facing Saracens and Leicester Tigers.
Campbell said: “Kelly has brilliant distribution off the floor and a larger-than-life personality to match. To see her grow in confidence as the year went on last season was awesome to see.
“She’s become a defensive leader, and as with most 9s, struggles to keep her mouth closed! She very quickly became one of the favourite first-years amongst the squad during pre-season and helped throughout the season by coaching the girls in our development group who sit just outside our BUCS teams – she’s a proper team player.”
Ella Barnes (Fly Half)
Entering her second year of study at Loughborough, fly-half Barnes started last year’s winning BUCS Super Rugby final – in the 45-5 victory over Brunel at Rodney Parade.
“Ella is one of the most naturally gifted fly-halves I’ve coached,” Campbell said of the young No. 10. “She has an amazing skillset and is hugely talented with her boot.
“The thing I love about Ella is she’s just as likely to put a big defensive shot in as she is to step you in attack. At her best, she plays with complete freedom and instinct, and it’s been awesome to see her confidence grow into a player who completely dominated in our BUCS final win.
“Annoyingly, injury prevented her from having her opportunity with England U21s this year, but I expect her to be involved there this season.”
Alice Bennett (Winger)
Winger Bennett is in her third year of study at Loughborough and will also be making the step up to Lightning’s senior environment this term, having previously featured for England U21s.
“Alice has played a key part in BUCS in both the seasons she’s been involved in so far,” said Campbell.
“She has a fend that any forward would be proud to have, and is a serious finisher when she gets the ball in space, which means she’s scored so many tries in key games. This will be a really exciting season for her as she looks to kick on into the cup and beyond.”
Izzy Clist (Centre)
A rampaging centre, Clist is entering her second year at Loughborough and steps up into Lightning’s set-up with England U18 honours already to her name.
On Clist, Campbell said: “Clist is an absolute powerhouse at 13, she’s very athletic and incredibly strong.
“Her physicality around defensive efforts and attacking breakdown work is sometimes quite frightening to watch. The way she looks to keep the ball alive through contact means players around her often end up looking good because of her work.”
Emily Heaps (Centre)
Another centre, Heaps links up with Lightning’s senior squad alongside her third year of study having already impressed the coaching team.
“Emily is the glue to any team she’s involved in,” said Campbell. “Whether that’s driving standards in training or picking people up and giving the team confidence when we’re under pressure.
“Her energy is unmatched, and her skillset has developed exponentially over her time here. I’m really excited to see what’s to come from her.”
Lily Hickey (Second Row)
Hickey will provide a major carrying threat for Lightning this term, as the second row joins up with the senior set-up alongside her second year of study.
Campbell said: “Lily had a brilliant 2025/26 season. She’s probably playing in our most competitive position, and even though she occasionally missed out on 1st team opportunities last season, I expect her to be a major part of BUCS 1s going forward.
“The way she’s developed her soft skills and catch pass hasn’t gone unnoticed, and she looks so comfortable on the ball.”
Freya MacColl (Utility Back)
Versatile back MacColl can play at fly-half or across the back three and is entering her third year of University. She has represented Scotland at age-grade level as well as recently working on developing her coaching experience, helping lead the BUCS 3s to an undefeated season.
On MacColl, Campbell said: “Freya has brilliant footwork and confidence around beating players 1v1, which always means she’s so exciting to watch.
“She is one of the hardest-working players who constantly looks to get better. She’s also currently working really hard to develop her coaching and is heavily involved throughout the BUCS Programme.”
Imogen Mockford (Back Three)
Another utility back, Mockford enters Lightning’s environment during her second year at Loughborough with the ability to play right across the back three.
“Imogen is one of the most naturally athletic, sporty people I’ve ever coached,” said Campbell.
“Any form of sport or competition, she seems to excel at. She has fantastic game understanding and one of the best fundamental skill sets. She loves catching high balls and practising spiral bombs in equal measure.”
Alice Redfern (Centre)
Recently voted Loughborough University’s Women’s President in just her second year of study, centre Redfern has already impressed Lightning’s coaches.
Campbell said: “The fact that Alice has been chosen as club president before she starts her second year says all you need to know about her. She’s very smart on and off the pitch, works unbelievably hard around her IDP and is a great person.
“She waited patiently for her opportunity with BUCS 1s during the first half of the season, and once she got it, took it with open arms and hasn’t looked back.”
Sasha Roberts (Back Row)
Younger sister of Lightning’s Ellie Roberts, Sasha follows in her sister’s footsteps to enter Lightning’s set-up – with the back rower set to feature alongside her second year at Loughborough.
“Sasha is someone who has a huge amount of potential,” said Campbell. “She is athletically gifted and doesn’t stop working, which are brilliant assets for the back row.
“Her skills around carrying aggression and jackal are excellent and make her such an exciting prospect. Given the strength of our back row last year, she did amazingly well to push into the first team and by the end of the season was having huge impacts both sides of the ball when she came on, including a number of turnovers in the WBSR final.”
Harli Stanton (Hooker)
The final addition to Lightning’s set-up is hooker Stanton. An age-grade international, having represented England U18, she will enter the senior environment as part of her second year of university.
Campbell said: “Harli has been brilliant in her first season, a hat trick in her first game probably means it’s no surprise she ended up as top try scorer in WBSR.
“She’s developed her defensive game in a huge way, and now that complements her aggressive, dominant carries. Combine that with how well she throws, it mean’s she's one to watch for sure.”