Loughborough Lightning are delighted to confirm that a further ten senior players have extended their contracts ahead of the 2026/27 Jaecoo PWR season.
It has been a busy off-season for the African Violets, with 12 new deals for existing players and six new signings announced so far this summer.
Ahead of the squad reporting back in for preseason training later this month, head coach Nathan Smith has retain a group of players that includes a former Red Roses international and numerous members of Loughborough University’s victorious BUCS Super Rugby Milk Championship squad.
“We are looking to build a strong core to the squad that remains consistent so we can build, together, year on year,” explained Smith. “Every player in this group of re-signings has a key role to play within the squad, and I expect all of them to be challenging for PWR game time come the start of the season.”
Abbie Brown
#073, 15 apps, 15pts
Former Red Roses back Brown is the current Lightning squad’s second longest serving player, making her debut back in October 2020.
Brown’s extensive 7s commitments for Great Britain have taken her around the world, and limited her Loughborough appearances to just 15 across three seasons over a six-year period. Having initially stepped away from 7s ahead of the 2025/26 season, which saw her return to Lightning colours during PWR: The Cup, she has since added to her appearances for GB on the SVNS circuit.
Smith said: “It is great to have Abbie with us for another year. We know her heart lies in 7s, however, when she is with us, she only adds to the environment with her experience, which is invaluable around the younger players.”
Molly Luthayi
#107, 13 apps, 5pts
Powerful centre Luthayi has been a part of the Lightning set-up for for more than four years, first pulling on the African Violet shirt in in 2022 against Exeter Chiefs.
She played a full part in the 2025/26 PWR: The Cup campaign, featuring in all four games, having recovered from injuries suffered in a road traffic collision alongside three of her Lightning teammates.
Luthayi has England U20 honours to her name and has also represented Great Britain at 7s, as well playing a key role for Loughborough University in their title-winning season.
“Molly has excelled from a BUCS perspective over the past 12 months and would‘ve been involved in the final if she wasn't injured. She has been involved with England U20s and also gone away with GB7s. She is a player who has worked really hard post the car crash she was involved in to get back in a position to be in contention to play for Lightning. We are looking forward to her being with us in the 2026/27 season.”
Ellie Roberts
#127, 10 apps, 5pts
Back rower Roberts captained Loughborough University to their BUCS Super Rugby Milk Championship triumph, ending 21 years of hurt in that competition.
The powerful, athletic former England U20 forward already has ten Lightning appearances to her name, with the first coming in September 2023 against Gloucester-Hartpury. She most recently co-captained the England Students side to an impressive 63-0 win over the UK Armed Forces.
Smith said: “Having Ellie stay for another season post graduation is massive. She is one of the first players that has come right through my tenure as a student. She started as a fresher when I joined Lightning in 2023 and has excelled during Cup periods but then also led the university team to victory in BUCS. We are really looking forward to her kicking on now alongside her work outside of rugby. She has got a bright future.”
Catherine Wells
#120, 8 apps
Former England U20 prop Wells joined Lightning in December 2023, and the former Worcester Warriors forward made eight appearances in the 2023/24 season.
Unfortunately, in June 2024, she suffered a major knee injury, which required surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation period. The 22-year-old will be looking to make up for lost time in the 2026/26 season.
Smith said: “Catherine had a promising start when she first joined us, but has struggled with injuries she picked up with England U20s. We are hoping that with a full pre-season on board, she can really kick on and get back to where she was and be even better than she was prior to her injury.
“With Isla Curphey and Christine Belisle leaving, there are gaps to be filled. She has the ability to play both sides as well, which is a great asset to have.”
Tiwaah Adjei-Ansere
#125, 7 apps
Loosehead prop Adjei-Ansere is the first product of Lightning’s arrangement with Buckingham Swans, which sees the grassroots club support Lightning with training numbers as well as live training situations.
Her Lightning debut came in the 2023/24 season against Sale Sharks. She has gone on to make seven appearances for the African Violets as well as appearing for Buckingham on a dual-registration basis.
Smith said: “Tiwaah is great for the environment, she is a well-liked member of the squad. We are really lucky to have her for another year. She is improving year on year, and we are hoping that she can kick on and really push for a matchday shirt.”
Ellie Tromans
#136, 6 apps
Versatile Welsh back Tromans made her Lightning debut in the PWR clash with Trailfinders in October 2024 and started all four of the club’s PWR: The Cup fixtures at the start of the 2025/26 season.
Alongside her experiences on the pitch for Lightning, Tromans has also played in the Celtic Challenge for Bryton Thunder and has represented Wales U20.
Smith said: “I think there is something there with Ellie in terms if I think she can kick on and play regular PWR, she just needs an opportunity and to take that opportunity. She has got all the skillset and the speed to be a threatening outside back in the league.”
Kaya Acton
#156, 4 apps
Back row/lock Acton was one of Lightning’s most recent debutants, with her first run out coming against Gloucester-Hartpury earlier this year.
It was a belated debut for the talented 20-year-old, having suffered a major knee injury during her first year with Loughborough University in 2024. She has since gone on to earn England U21 honours.
Smith said: “Kaya is someone I met at open day three years ago. To see her go from a meeting at open day to playing her first PWR and win the league with BUCS was really good. I am hoping that she kicks on again this year, she has got all the physical attributes to be a starting PWR tighthead lock and she just needs to knuckle down and make that a reality.”
Polly Peterson
#143, 2 apps
Hooker Peterson is a shining example of the arrangement Lightning have with Buckingham Swans. She came into the Lightning set-up during preseason last summer, when Lightning had a couple of injuries in her specialist position.
It was an opportunity she grabbed with both hands, and she made her Lightning debut in the PWR: The Cup opening round clash with Loughborough University, before adding a second outing against Leicester Tigers in the same competition.
Smith said: “Polly really highlights the relationship between Buckingham and Lightning. In a period where we do not have international players to select from, it is great to be able to have the opportunity to give someone a chance within the Cup.
“Polly has trained with us for a couple of pre-seasons now and has been a bit unlucky not to play more for Lightning through injuries. She is very committed with her work outside of Loughborough, however, we are hoping this year she can get an opportunity again in the Cup and really show us why she should be with Lightning long term.”
Churchy Knight
#149, 1 app
Prop Knight joined Lightning from East Midlands rivals Leicester Tigers ahead of the 2024/25 season. She made her debut at the start of the 2025/26 campaign, coming off the bench the PWR: The Cup loss to Bristol Bears.
Her dedication to the Lightning and Loughborough University cause saw her awarded the prestigious Rex Hazeldine Award at the 2025/26 Lightning end-of-season awards night.
Smith said: “It is a big season for Churchy coming up. She has waited in the shadows for a decent period of time. She will get opportunities in the front row this year, and it up to her to take those opportunities. I am looking forward to seeing her do that.
“Churchy has been brilliant over the last couple of years, she has not had an amazing amount of game exposure, but she has been extremely positive around training, she is always asking for feedback, always asking what she can do better for herself but also the team. She is also very diligent in how she prepares the team for games, and having people like Churchy within the squad will only make us better.”
Amy Layzell
Former England U20 international Layzell joined from Lightning’s PWR rivals Harlequins in January 2026, having previously played for Bristol Bears, Wasps and DMP Sharks.
She has gained international honours for Ireland in the Women’s 7s Championship Series 2025, and has versatility to play in numerous positions across the backline but is primarily a fullback.
Smith said: “Amy joined us towards the end of last season so it was very difficult for her to break into the team, with a full pre-season ahead of her, we are looking forward to seeing what she can do, initially in the Cup and then hopefully taking that form into the league.”
