Loughborough Lightning are travelling to defending Premiership Women’s Rugby champions Gloucester-Hartpury this weekend full of belief, according to captain Daisy Hibbert-Jones.
Six weeks after clinching a thrilling 29-29 draw against Trailfinders Women at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, Nathan Smith’s side return to action with a trip to Kingsholm on Sunday (kick-off: 3pm).
The African Violets will bid to become the first team to claim a league victory at the Cherry-and-Whites’ expense since November 2024 – a run that stretches back 18 games, including their knock-out triumphs on the way to securing a third successive PWR title last term.
“We know what we are going after this weekend and we have full belief in our game plan and what we have been going after for the past three weeks,” said Hibbert-Jones.
Lightning enter the Round 9 contest one point behind fourth-placed Exeter Chiefs, who face PWR’s bottom club Leicester Tigers this weekend.
Hibbert Jones – whose multi-year contract extension was announced this week – believes Lightning’s growing consistency and hunger for improvement puts them in a strong position as the league enters a decisive phase.
“Points mean prizes in this league, whether that’s winning bonus points or losing bonus points – they’re essential, especially with how tight the top five and top six are,” she said.
“I would love nothing more than to lead this team into a semi-final or a final. We’ve spoken about it for quite a long time now. That end is very much in sight, and it is very much a possibility for us.
“The group are motivated. We’ve had reviews, we’ve spoken about how the programme has run for the first half of the season and how we can keep pushing it as players and as coaches. I think we’re in a really good place to kick on, strive for that top four and really push the limits of where this team can go.”
Lightning have only tasted defeat twice so far this season from seven games, and their talismanic leader highlighted the squad’s mindset as a key driver behind their progress.
“The desire is there for us to grow,” she added. “We’ve had some amazing performances and some really good results, yet we’re still coming in at the start of the next week knowing where we can get better.
“We know we can push each other in training, and we know the following week we can adapt and get better.
“Hopefully we can kick on, get more points, score more tries and defend better than we ever have before – then come away with those winning bonus points as well. It’s hugely exciting to be part of a group that makes my job quite easy, because everyone is on the same page about our aspirations and where we want to go.”
The next opportunity to watch Hibbert-Jones at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens is on Sunday 22 February, when Lightning take on Bristol Bears in Round 12 of the 2025/26 Premiership Women’s Rugby season. Tickets are available priced from £12 adult* / £10 concession* (65+) / £9* young adult (19-30) / £5* junior / £4* child by clicking HERE.
*Tickets subject to £1.50 booking fee.