Loughborough Lightning Rugby news
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Loughborough Lightning to work alongside Buckingham RUFC
Loughborough Lightning have entered into a formal agreement with Buckingham RUFC heading into the 2024/25 season.
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England beat France to retain Six Nations crown
England retained the Women’s Six Nations title in style with a convincing 42-21 victory over 14-player France in Bordeaux.
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Lightning appoint Nathan Smith as new Head Coach
Loughborough Lightning are delighted to announce the appointment of Nathan Smith as the Club’s new Head Coach.
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Huge success for Loughborough at Rugby Players Association (RPA) awards
Loughborough-linked rugby players collected numerous accolades at this year’s Rugby Players Association (RPA) Awards, cementing the University’s first-class reputation of developing athletes in the sport.
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Alumna Sarah Hunter lands pivotal Red Roses coaching role
Former Loughborough Lightning captain and Loughborough University alumna Sarah Hunter has been added to the new coaching setup at England Women’s Rugby.
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England triumphant in Women’s Six Nations
England Women held off a brave fightback from France to claim a fifth successive Six Nations title this weekend in front of 58,498 fans at Twickenham.
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England’s most-capped player Sarah Hunter to retire
England and Loughborough Lightning back row forward, Sarah Hunter, will retire from professional rugby after this weekend’s Red Roses clash with Scotland.
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Lightning players set for Women’s Six Nations duty
Loughborough Lightning will be well represented at this year’s Women’s Six Nations with 14 players called up for international duty.
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England Rugby icon receives honorary degree from Loughborough University
England Rugby Women’s captain Sarah Hunter MBE has been awarded an honorary degree from Loughborough University.
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Lightning successful in Allianz Premier 15s tender process for 2023-24 season onwards
The RFU can confirm that Loughborough Lightning have been offered a place in the Allianz Premier 15s competition from the 2023-24 season, subject to the signing of shareholder and other agreements.
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Heartbreak for England in World Cup final
England suffered heartbreak in the Women’s Rugby World Cup final as New Zealand edged a thrilling encounter 34-31 in front of a world-record crowd in Auckland.
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Sweet sixteen for World Cup bound Lightning players
Loughborough Lightning will be well represented at the upcoming Women's Rugby World Cup with 16 of its players set to appear on the sport’s biggest stage.
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Record crowd sees Lightning secure victory at Franklin's Gardens
Under clear blue skies, on a baking hot day, Loughborough Lightning scorched the hallowed turf at Franklin’s Gardens as they came face to face with an all-star Harlequins team.
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Lightning’s Six Nations heroes set for Franklin's Gardens clash
Loughborough Lightning will welcome back its victorious Women’s Six Nations players for Saturday’s landmark clash versus Harlequins Women at cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens.
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Lightning set for Franklin’s Gardens return
Loughborough Lightning Rugby will return to cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens for their upcoming Allianz Premier 15s match versus Harlequins Women.
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Lightning rugby stars gear up for Women’s Six Nations
Loughborough Lightning will have thirteen players representing their country on the international stage as the Tiktok Women's Six Nations gets underway on Saturday 26 March.
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Scarratt recalled by England after injury lay off
Loughborough Lightning’s Emily Scarratt has been included in England’s 40-player training squad for the 2022 TikTok Women’s Six Nations.
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Loughborough Lightning secure historic win at Franklin’s Gardens
Allianz Premier 15s side Loughborough Lightning beat Exeter in their first ever game at Franklin’s Gardens, home of the Northampton Saints. Lightning, who agreed a strategic partnership with Saints in September 2021, were quick to showcase their exciting brand of rugby in front of several thousand enthusiastic supporters.
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Loughborough Lightning to play first ever game at cinch Stadium, Franklins Gardens
Loughborough Lightning are gearing up to take to the field at cinch Stadium, Franklins Gardens, the home of Northampton Saints, for the first time on 19th February.
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Lightning and Saints to play double header in February
Loughborough Lightning and Northampton Saints will play a double header of Allianz Premier 15s and Gallagher Premiership fixtures at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday 19 February.
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Loughborough’s Steward shines in England victory
Loughborough University student Freddie Steward impressed once again as England Men’s rugby side beat Australia 32-15 at Twickenham on Saturday.
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Six Lightning players selected for Red Roses squad
Lightning forward Sadia Kabeya has been called up to the England Red Roses side for the first time.
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Lightning Rugby joins forces with Gallagher Premiership side Northampton Saints
Loughborough Lightning Rugby are delighted to announce an innovative new partnership between the Club and Gallagher Premiership side Northampton Saints, centred on women’s rugby.
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Lightning fall four points short in their search for a spot in the Allianz Premier 15s final
Davies clinches two tries as Lightning fall four points short against Saracens in their search for a spot in the Allianz Premier 15s final.
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Allianz Premier 15s Semi Final – Loughborough Lightning v Saracens
It’s the business end of the Allianz Premier 15s season this weekend and Loughborough Lightning make the trip to the Stone X Stadium in London to face top of the table Saracens. Head Coach, Rhys Edwards, provides his thoughts ahead of the fixture:
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Lightning step up preparations for semi-final clash
Loughborough Lightning have stepped up preparations for their Premier 15s semi-final match versus Saracens Women with the game taking place in just over one weeks’ time (22 May).
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Loughborough Sport to participate in social media boycott to stamp out online abuse
Loughborough Sport and Loughborough Lightning have confirmed today that they will stand with the wider sporting community by taking part in a social media boycott from 15:00 on Friday 30 April to 23:59 on Monday 3 May.
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Lightning help England secure Six Nations glory
Loughborough Lightning players Sarah Hunter, Cath O’Donnell, Lark Davies, Detysha Harper, Helena Rowland and Emily Scarratt helped England win the Women's Six Nations for the third year in a row following a 10-6 victory over France.
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Young and spirited Lightning side fall short to league leaders Saracens
With big name Six Nations players missing for both sides, the young guns did not fail to deliver an exhilarating display and score some tries.
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Lightning to face top of the table Saracens
Top of the table Saracens make the trip to Epinal Way this Saturday to take on Loughborough Lightning in the penultimate round of the Allianz Premier 15s.
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Hunter returns to captain England
After 13 months Sarah Hunter makes her return to the England side this weekend for their second-round fixture of the Six Nations versus Italy.
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Nine Lightning players named for Round 1 of the Women's Six Nations
England will face Scotland this Saturday at Castle Park, Doncaster, in the first round of the Women’s Six Nations.
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Lightning players selected for 2021 Six Nations squads
Eleven Loughborough Lightning players have been called up by their nation for the upcoming 2021 Six Nations.
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Lightning take a sting in Round 15, falling short to Wasps at home
Lightning hit a bump in the road this weekend, as their hunt for a home semi-final took a backwards step against Wasps who now inch closer to Lightning and strengthen their hold of a top 4 place.
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Lightning looking to take the sting out of Wasps
Loughborough Lightning will face Wasps this weekend in what should prove to be a must watch contest.
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Lightning head North to face DMP Durham Sharks
Following a resounding win over Worcester Warriors Women in Round 13, Lightning head north to Maiden Castle this Saturday to face DMP Durham Sharks.
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Lightning put Worcester to the sword
Coming into this fixture it was clear to see both teams were fired up from the start, despite some early errors and no scores in the first quarter, Lightning expressed their tenacity and stamped their authority on proceedings without looking back.
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Lightning back on home turf for Round 13 v Worcester Warriors Women
Loughborough Lightning return to Epinal Way this coming Saturday for their Round 13 fixture v. Worcester Warriors Women.
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Hardy & Davey retain starting places as Lightning head to Harlequins
Following a strong 42-14 win over Bristol Bears last Saturday, Lightning is on the road this weekend to face Harlequins who currently sit second in the table.
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Lightning return to action with a convincing win
After a shaky start, Lightning fought back hard to put Bristol to the sword and claim a bonus-point win after the two-week season pause.
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O’Donnell starts as Lightning welcome Bristol Bears to campus
Looking to keep their winning momentum going this weekend as they welcome Bristol Bears, Lightning make five changes to their side that beat Gloucester Hartpury 29-21.
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RFU STATEMENT: Allianz Premier 15s update: Remainder of the 2020/21 season structure confirmed
The RFU can confirm the structure for the remainder of the 2020/21 Allianz Premier 15s season.
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RFU STATEMENT: Allianz Premier 15s: 2020/21 season update
The RFU can confirm the Allianz Premier 15s season has been paused until the end of the month.
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Lightning kick-off 2021 with bonus-point win
It was a tale of two halves for Lightning as they kick-started 2021 off with a bonus-point win over Gloucester-Hartpury.
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Lightning look to start 2021 with a win on the road
A rested and refreshed Lightning side will look to kick start the second half of their season with a win as they head to the Alpas Arena to take on Gloucester Hartpury on Saturday.
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Lightning lose out to Saracen in a final thriller of 2020
Lightning was edged out of the win 24-29 after a thrilling game at Copthall Stadium in the closing game of 2020.
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Talling returns for final clash of 2020
Loughborough Lightning will take to the pitch for the final time this year against reigning champions, Saracens Women on Saturday.
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Loughborough Sport extends partnership with Computacenter
Loughborough Sport has extended its partnership with Computacenter for the 2020/2021 academic year.
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Lightning make two changes for the trip to Wasps
Loughborough Lightning will make two changes to the side that beat DMP Sharks 57-3 last weekend as they look to keep their winning momentum with a visit south to Wasps RFC.
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9 Try haul for Lightning as they triumph over DMP Sharks
A gloomy day in Loughborough didn’t dampen Lightning’s spirit this Saturday afternoon, as they secured their 5th win of the season.
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Lightning looking for back-to-back wins
Loughborough Lightning will be looking to record back-to-back victories this weekend as they entertain DMP Durham Sharks in the Allianz Premier 15s.
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Four Lightning players selected for the final England Test match Four Lightning players have been included in the Red Roses squad ahead of the final clash with
Four Lightning players have been included in the Red Roses squad ahead of the final clash with France this Saturday at Twickenham.
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Lightning name their side to travel to Worcester
Loughborough Lightning will make six changes as they travel to the Sixways stadium to take on Worcester Warriors this Saturday.
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Lightning quintet selected for the Red Roses to face Les Bleues
Lightning Rugby is thrilled to have five players named in this weekend's Red Roses squad to face France at Stade des Alpes, Grenoble, on Saturday 14th November.
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England icon Johnson checks in on Lightning
Martin Johnson, England Rugby’s 2003 World Cup winning captain, has offered his expertise and insight to Loughborough Lightning’s squad on a recent campus visit.
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Lightning out muscled in first defeat of the season
Not even a brace of tries from both Rhona Lloyd and Emily Scarratt could clinch the win for Lightning today, as Harlequins muscled their way to the win at Loughborough University.
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Lightning’s Scarratt named Women’s Six Nations Player of the Championship
Loughborough Lightning’s Emily Scarratt has been unveiled as the inaugural Women’s Six Nations Player of the Championship.
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Scarratt returns for Harlequins showdown
Emily Scarratt will return to Lightning's starting XI for their Allianz Premier 15s fixture vs. Harlequins.
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All eyes on Lightning as Quins come to town
Lightning Rugby will step into the limelight this Saturday as its Allianz Premier 15s fixture vs Harlequins Women is featured on the RFU live stream.
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Five Lightning players selected for England in the final round of Women’s Six Nations
Lightning Rugby is proud to celebrate that five players have been named to take part in the re-arranged round five of the Women’s Six Nations which takes place this weekend.
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Lightning trio earn Scotland Start
Loughborough Lightning is pleased to announce that three of its players have been selected in the starting line-up for Scotland tomorrow in the rescheduled Women’s Six Nations match against Italy.
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Lightning beat Bears in tricky conditions
Lightning clinch the win at Shaftesbury Park for first time in 3 years as they beat Bristol Bears 12-5 in tricky conditions.
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Lightning name their side to take on Bristol Bears
Looking to keep their winning momentum going this weekend as they head west to Bristol Bears, Lightning make three changes to their side that beat Gloucester Hartpury 32-26.
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Lightning storm to victory in first home game.
Lightning storm to victory over Gloucester-Hartpury 32-26, collecting the bonus point as they win their first home game of the 20/21 season.
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Lightning name their side to take on Gloucester-Hartpury
Loughborough Lightning will make six squad changes as they welcome Gloucester-Hartpury Women to Loughborough University this Saturday.
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Lightning power their way to a first win of the season
Lark Davies scored twice in the Allianz Premier 15s opener, as Lightning muscled their way to victory over league debutants Sale Sharks.
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Team News: Loughborough Lightning vs Sale Sharks
Loughborough Lightning have named their side to face Sale Sharks in first round of the new look Allianz Premier 15’s.
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RFU STATEMENT: RFU and Allianz announce landmark partnership for the Premier 15s
The Rugby Football Union has today announced Allianz Insurance as the new Insurance Partner of England Rugby and the title partner for the Premier 15s, with the official name of the competition being ‘Allianz Premier 15s’.
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Lightning’s pack gets a boost as Bourke signs on the line
Loughborough Lightning have strengthened their pack with the signing of Hooker Gill Bourke ahead of the 20/21 season.
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Aine Staunton signs for Lightning
Loughborough Lightning are thrilled to welcome versatile back Aine Staunton to their roster ahead of the 20/21 season.
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Goulden signs for Lightning
Loughborough Lightning are thrilled to announce that Lizzie Goulden will be joining the squad ahead of the 2020/21 season.
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England 7’s duo Brown and Rowland join Lightning ahead of 2020/2021 season
Loughborough Lightning Rugby has bolstered its side with the signing of England 7’s duo Abbie Brown and Helena Rowland, who join the squad ahead of the 2020/21 Premier 15s season.
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Loughborough Lightning land Canada International
Loughborough Lightning are thrilled to announce that Canada back-row Courtney Holtkamp will be joining the squad ahead of the 2020/21 season.
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Bonar, Riggs and Needham all move to pastures new next season
Loughborough Lightning trio Sarah Bonar, Amy Needham and Martha Riggs have all confirmed they will be leaving the club.
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Lightning Rugby and Loughborough Town RFC enter new partnership
Loughborough University and Lightning Rugby is pleased to announce a partnership with Loughborough Town RFC.
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Working the farm with hay bales for a squat rack – Loughborough’s Emily Scarratt trains at home
Loughborough Lightning and England centre Emily Scarratt has gone back to basics during lockdown with a little help from her family farm.
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Daley-Mclean to embark on a new challenge as she leaves Lightning
After two fantastic years with Lightning, it is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our England Fly-half Katy Daley-Mclean as she embarks on a new challenge for the 2020/2021 season.
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Tyrrells Premier 15s 2020/21-2022/23 clubs confirmed
The RFU has confirmed the clubs invited to participate in the Tyrrells Premier 15s division for the 2020/21-2022/23 seasons.
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Tyrrells Premier 15s season declared null and void as RFU confirms final league positions for 2019/20 season
Following the early end of the rugby season in England as a result of COVID-19, The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is today announcing the final league positions for the Greene King IPA Championship, Tyrrells Premier 15s and men’s and women’s community game.
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RFU STATEMENT: 2019/20 TYRRELLS PREMIER 15S SEASON
Today, in a letter to the rugby clubs in England, Bill Sweeney, RFU CEO, has confirmed the end of the 2019/20 season for all league, cup and county rugby in England with the exception of the Gallagher Premiership, which the RFU is in active discussions with.
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Four lightning linked players named in GB 7s training squad
Rhona Lloyd, Helen Nelson, Celia Quansah and Jodie Ounsley have all been named in Scott Forrest’s GB sevens extended squad and will be competing for a place in the final squad for Tokyo 2020 Olympic games.
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Loughborough Lightning secure their place in the next three-year league structure of the Tyrrells Premier 15s following a league-wide audit.
Loughborough Lightning have secured their place in the next three-year league structure of the Tyrrells Premier 15s following a league-wide audit.
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Strong Lightning presence in England and Scotland’s Six Nations squads
12 Loughborough Lightning players have been called up to represent their country at this year’s Women’s Six Nations.
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Lightning looking to secure first win of 2020
Loughborough Lightning will look to secure their first Tyrrell’s Premier 15s win of 2020 this weekend as they head to Liverpool to face Firwood Waterloo.
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Lightning narrowly lose out at Allianz park
It was a nail biting finish at Allianz park as only three points separated both teams with two minutes to go. However, it was not to be Lightning’s day as reigning champions Saracens clinched the win 39-31 in the dying minutes of the game.
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Lightning looking to start the year with a bang
Loughborough Lightning are looking to build on their impressive form at the end of 2019 as they travel to Saracens for the first game of the new calendar year on Saturday.