Loughborough Lightning can today confirm Bulou Mataitoga and Lucy Finch have left the club.
Lightning players #99 and #135, respectively, Mataitoga and Finch, made a combined 71 appearances in African Violet.
“Baz and Lucy have been brilliant for this club in their own respective ways,” said Lightning Head Coach Nathan Smith. “Baz brought a level of international experience and character to the squad which will be missed, and Lucy has been another excellent product of our pathway system, and I wish them well in their next steps.”
Bulou Matitoga
#99, 63 Appearances, 55 Points
The versatile back joined the African Violets in 2021 and made her 50th appearance during February’s Premiership Women’s Rugby 2024/25 final round encounter with Trailfinders Women, at Franklin’s Gardens.
Capable in the centres, wing and at fullback, Mataitoga scored 55 points across 63 appearances for Lightning and made 14 appearances in the 2025/26 season.
Born in Fiji before growing up in California, Mataitoga broke onto the international scene first with USA Sevens before making her 15s debut against England in 2019.
Lucy Finch
#135, 8 appearances
Powerful forward Finch has been capped by England and Scotland at age-grade level, most recently representing Scotland in the U21 Six Nations.
Her rugby journey has seen her play for Newbury RFC, Reading RFC, Henley College, Harlequins Centre of Excellence, and, most recently, Loughborough University – featuring in the BUCS Super Rugby final in 2025.
Her Premiership Women’s Rugby debut came back in October 2023 as an 18-year-old and made four appearances in the 2025/26 PWR Cup.
