Three Loughborough Lightning players could make their debuts for the Club this weekend after being named in the matchday squad to take on Gloucester-Hartpury.
Fresh from arriving at the club this week, USA international hooker Paige Stathopoulos has been named among the replacements for Sunday’s trip to Kingsholm Stadium – a match which is being screened live on TNT Sports.
Ireland U18 international scrum-half Aoibhe Kelly, formerly of Leinster Rugby, is one of two Loughborough University BUCS players who could make their first senior appearances for Lightning, along with 19-year-old forward, Kaya Acton.
Head coach Nathan Smith makes only two personnel changes to his starting line-up from Lightning’s last match six weeks ago – the thrilling 29-29 draw with Trailfinders Women at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
Tahlia Brody starts at openside flanker as Sadia Kabeya misses out due to injury, while Anne Young packs down at loosehead prop with Isla Curphey named among the replacements.
Young is joined by a pair of USA Eagles in the front row; Kathryn Treder and Mae Sagapolu.
The second-row features two players who were involved in the first Red Roses camp of 2026 with World Cup winner Lilli Ives Campion being joined by Haineala Lutui – who is one of three positional switches as she moves forward from No.8.
That reshuffle sees captain Daisy Hibbert-Jones – whose multi-year contract renewal was announced this week – move to the back of the scrum and her spot on the blindside is taken by Rachel Ehrecke.
The backs division remains unchanged with Lis Maude and Helen Nelson forming the half-back partnership for a sixth consecutive game and Carmela Morrall and Alev Kelter extend their unbroken midfield combination.
Bo Westcombe-Evans and Bulou Mataitoga are on the wings with Lucia Scott set to make her first appearance against the club she left last summer to join Lightning.
A six-two split on the bench sees Stathopoulos, Curphey, Acton and Kelly joined amongst the replacements by Christine Belisle, Becky Boyd, Kendall Waudby and Lia Green.
“There is a positive feeling going to any game, this is probably the easiest game to prepare for,” said Lightning head coach, Nathan Smith. “There is no expectation on anyone who plays against Gloucester-Hartpury. No-one expects us to win, no-one expects us to get any points, therefore we can go and impose our game on Gloucester and have a real good dig at getting a result that people don’t expect us to get.”
GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY VS LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING
Premiership Women’s Rugby, Round 9
Sunday 1 February
Kingsholm Stadium
Kick-off: 3pm
15. Lucia Scott
14. Bulou Mataitoga
13. Alev Kelter
12. Carmela Morrall
11. Bo Westcombe-Evans
10. Helen Nelson
9. Alicia Maude
1. Anne Young
2. Kathryn Treder
3. Mae Sagapolu
4. Lilli Ives Campion
5. Haneala Lutui
6. Rachel Ehrecke
7. Tahlia Brody
8. Daisy Hibbert-Jones ©
Replacements:
16. Paige Stathopoulos – Lightning debut
17. Isla Curphey
18. Christine Belisle
19. Becky Boyd
20. Kaya Acton – Lightning debut
21. Kendall Waudby
22. Aoibhe Kelly – Lightning debut
23. Lia Green
Gloucester-Hartpury: 15 Emma Sing, 14 Mia Venner, 13 Hannah Dallavalle, 12 Jade Shekells, 11 Nel Metcalfe, 10 Lleucu George, 9 Natasha Hunt (CC); 1 El Perry, 2 Kelsey Jones, 3 Maud Muir, 4 Sam Monaghan, 5 Sarah Beckett, 6 Steph Else, 7 Georgia Brock, 8 Zoe Stratford (CC)
Replacements: 16 Lucy Simpson, 17 Niamh O'Dowd, 18 Sisilia Tuipulotu, 19 Kate Williams, 20 Tabitha Copson, 21 Sian Jones, 22 Lizzie Goulden, 23 Pip Hendy