Seven players are in line to make their Loughborough Lightning debuts as they commence their 2026/27 JAECOO Next Gen Cup campaign against Sale Sharks this weekend.
Hooker Harli Stanton, outside centre Izzy Clist and winger Alice Bennett were all part of Loughborough University’s BUCS Super Rugby 2026 title‑winning team, and are set to start Saturday’s clash at Morson Stadium (kick‑off: 2pm).
Amy Layzell, who joined Lightning from Harlequins last season, makes her bow at fullback, while three more BUCS title winners – Sasha Roberts, Emily Peters and Alice Redfern – are also in line to make their Lightning debuts from the bench.
Openside flanker Ellie Roberts, who was confirmed this week as Lightning’s captain for the Cup campaign, leads the side from open side flanker, with vice‑captain Carmela Morrall operating from inside centre.
There’s a return to Lightning colours for Haineala Lutui, who has been released from the Red Roses squad to gain game time for this fixture, packing down in the second row alongside fellow 20‑year‑old Kaya Acton.
Props Amelia Williams and Grace Clifford complete the tight five, while the back row features teenager Tamsin Baynes – who made her Lightning debut against Sale Sharks in the Cup last season – at blindside flanker, and Daisy Hibbert‑Jones starts at No.8 against her former club.
Hibbert‑Jones (69 apps) and Morrall (61) collectively account for almost half of the total Lightning appearances in Saturday’s matchday squad.
Scrum‑half Alicia Maude and fly‑half Ella Barnes combine for a new half‑back partnership, while Wales U20 international Ellie Tromans is the only non‑English player in the starting XV, completing the backs on the left wing.
Replacement prop Tiwaah Adjei‑Ansere is the oldest player in the matchday 23 at 24 years and three months, and she is joined by fellow front‑row forwards Churchy Knight and Polly Peterson.
Scrum‑half Aoibhe Kelly and back‑three player Freya MacColl complete the bench for the African Violets.
Lightning Interim Head Coach Rachel Taylor said: “This is an exciting opportunity for this young group of players to play together at a senior level and put into practice what we have been working on all summer.
“It speaks volumes for the pathway here at Loughborough that so many members of the squad have progressed through from university rugby into becoming senior Lightning players. The Cup provides a great opportunity for exposure at the next level and to push forward and compete for game time in the league.
“It also presents us with the platform to develop new leaders to complement our more senior players as we work towards our ultimate goal of hitting form for Round 1 of the 2026/27 JAECOO PWR season.”
Sale Sharks vs Loughborough Lightning
JAECOO Next Gen Cup, Round 1
Saturday 19 September, Kick-Off: 2pm
Morson Stadium
15 Amy Layzell – Lightning debut #161
14 Alice Bennett – Lightning debut #160
13 Izzy Clist – Lightning debut #159
12 Carmela Morrall (61) – vice captain
11 Ellie Tromans (6)
10 Ella Barnes (1)
9 Alicia Maude (18)
1 Amelia Williams (31)
2 Harli Stanton – Lightning debut #158
3 Grace Clifford (27)
4 Haineala Lutui (19)
5 Kaya Acton (4)
6 Tamsin Baynes (5)
7 Ellie Roberts (10) – captain
8 Daisy Hibbert-Jones (69)
Replacements:
16 Polly Peterson (2)
17 Churchy Knight (1)
18 Tiwaah Adjei-Ansere (7)
19 Sasha Roberts – Lightning debut #
20 Emily Peters – Lightning debut #
21 Aoibhe Kelly (3)
22 Alice Redfern – Lightning debut #
23 Freya MacColl (2)