Loughborough Lightning are fully prepared for a ‘big game’ as they take on second-placed Saracens at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens in their final home game of the regular season.
The possibility of Lightning achieving a position in the Premiership Women’s Rugby play-off places is still on the cards should they secure victory in their final two fixtures of the season and results elsewhere go their way.
However, first up are Saracens who travel to the East Midlands already having secured a spot in the top four and home advantage for the knock-out stages. Until last season, Lightning had never registered a win in this head-to-head, but a 22-17 victory at cinch Stadium ended that – now the challenge is to back that up and take the play-off hunt down to the final weekend.
“We’ve probably made it a bit difficult for ourselves, which is probably the classic Lightning way,” Rowland admitted.
“Things are largely out of our control now, but we still have something to fight for. We know Saracens is a massive game; it always is.
“We’ve got an important couple of games left to finish the season, so attention switches back to that now, but we’re fully prepped to go this week in a big game.”
Rowland returns to action in the PWR with another Guinness Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam title under her belt alongside Red Roses teammates Sadia Kabeya, Lilli Ives-Campion and Haineala Lutui.
It was yet another tournament to remember for Rowland, who started every match of the Red Rose’s campaign at inside centre and marked the Round 4 clash against Italy with a try on her 50th cap.
“I really enjoyed the continuity and fighting for that starting shirt throughout the tournament,” she continued.
“It was refreshing playing in that one position and getting a good run of games and game time, and having that opportunity was big.”
The No.12 shirt at Lightning has remained in the permanent possession of Carmela Morrall this season, and the 21-year-old’s efforts were rewarded with a nomination – alongside her teammate Haineala Lutui – for PWR Breakthrough Player of the Season in The Rugby Awards.
“I think Cam has been massive for Lightning this season,” said Rowland. She has played every game, she has been so consistent, and this year, there has been a real opportunity for her to step up and lead. She has had that vice-captaincy role, and also directing around the pitch.
“Losing Scaz from that playing role, and I have only played three or four games this season as well, so there was a lot on Cam’s and Nelly’s [Helen Nelson] shoulders to direct the team around. She has really stepped up into that role. I think she has been a real standout for us and you can see just how much she has developed. Having that regular starting role has been massive for her, she has been around for a few years without necessarily nailing that down.
“There’s incredibly exciting things to come from her. She is only young, and fully deserves to be on that shortlist for Breakthrough Player of the Year. She has had an extremely good season, she has been a massive part of everything that has gone well for Lightning this year and it is not always easy, she has been huge.”
Tickets for Sunday’s game are still available to purchase, priced from £12* adult and £4* child, by clicking HERE.
*Tickets are subject to a £1.50 booking fee.