Loughborough Lightning head coach Nathan Smith has made three changes to his starting XV ahead of this weekend’s clash with Exeter Chiefs.
USA hooker Kathryn Treder, who arrived from the bench in the recent win over Sale Sharks, makes her first start of the 2025/26 Premiership Women’s Rugby season on Sunday at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens (kick-off: 2.30pm) – tickets are available by clicking HERE.
After being a late withdrawal from the squad for that 19-12 win, World Cup winning Red Roses lock Lilli Ives Campion is fit to return to the engine room, where she will be partnered by player of the match in that Round 2 encounter, Haineala Lutui.
The 19-year-old leads the league with 42 carries and recorded eight dominant contacts last time out, the highest of any player in Round 2.
The final change to the run-out side sees Alicia Maude picked at scrum-half, with Lightning’s all-time leading appearance maker Megan Davey coming onto the bench for her first PWR involvement this term.
There’s further changes among the replacements as versatile prop Isla Curphey gets her first league selection this term, and having started in the first two rounds, Becky Boyd gives Smith options in both the second and back rows.
Sadia Kabeya has maintained her form after being named player of the match in the World Cup final by beating 13 defenders in her two games so far, making 164 metres along the way. She is picked on the back row alongside Tahlia Brody and captain Daisy Hibbert-Jones.
USA and Canada internationals Rachel Ehrecke and Fancy Bermudez, who made their debuts against Sale, are included among the replacements.
Lightning assistant coach Rachel Taylor said: “After conceding a few tries against Harlequins, we knew how important our defence was going to be against Sale.
“I feel like that’s the one thing I praised the most was excellent defensive efforts and the unity and energy the team showed, which we’re looking for the girls to bring into Exeter.
“We know the quality of Exeter’s ball carriers is the one thing they have in abundance, so stopping that will be our biggest challenge.”
Loughborough Lightning vs Exeter Chiefs
Premiership Women’s Rugby, Round 3
Sunday 9 November, 2025
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 2:30pm
15 Lia Green
14 Bulou Mataitoga
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 Haineala Lutui
6 Tahlia Brody
7 Sadia Kabeya
8 Daisy Hibbert-Jones ©
Replacements:
16 Lucy Calladine
17 Isla Curphey
18 Christine Belisle
19 Becky Boyd
20 Rachel Ehrecke
21 Kendall Waudby
22 Megan Davey
23 Fancy Bermudez
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Merryn Elworthy, 14 Francesca Granzotto, 13 Nancy McGillivray, 12 Alexandra Tessier, 11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, 10 Liv McGoverne, 9 Flo Robinson; 1 Demi Swann, 2 Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Linde van der Velden, 5 Abby Duguid, 6 Emily Robinson (c), 7 Maisy Allen, 8 Maddie Feaunati.
Replacements: 16 Emily Tuttosi, 17 Alessia Skeates, 18 Abby Middlebrooke, 19 Gabriella Nigrelli, 20 Lola Whitley, 21 Lucy Nye, 22 Naomi Brennan, 23 Katie Buchanan.