Loughborough Lightning Rugby welcome reigning champions Harlequins to Loughborough University on Saturday 30th September and will be hoping to bounce back from a bonus point defeat last time out, and put a stop to their opposition’s dominance.
Last year’s winners Harlequins have gone two from two in the new look Tyrrell’s Premier 15s and are favourites for the 2017/18 league title. However after a brilliant eight try opening day triumph over Worcester Valkyries, Lightning went over the line a further four times away at Saracens, but couldn’t stop the hosts prevailing 34-20. Having won one, lost one, Lightning are arguably the fastest improving side in the league, but Saturday will be the side in purples sternest test yet.
Sarah Hunter (photo: Loughborough Lightning)
The home side will be boosted by the addition of Player-Coach Sarah Hunter who will make her Lightning debut, the England captain starting at number eight after a period of rest following the World Cup this summer. Hunter will add a touch of class to the Lightning 15, whilst her organisational qualities will aid captain Rachel Malcolm as the side look to impress the home crowd.
Of her imminent debut Hunter said: “I’m really looking forward to playing my first game for Lightning this weekend. We’ve got a great group of players and since the first game I have been itching to get my boots on and get involved. It’s been great to see how well the team has been doing and I can’t wait to join them out there.”
Ahead of this weekend’s clash Head Coach Rhys Edwards added:“Harlequins are definitely the pace setters in the league having already notched up two strong wins, and so I think they’ll be the team to beat. Having said that we’re relishing the challenge, especially as we are back to full strength with our internationals returning and I can’t wait to see what impact Sarah will have in her debut for us.”
“The girls are very focused on performing well in front of our home crowd, who will hopefully provide a good atmosphere once again. Four tries against Saracens was a huge confidence boost for our attackers, so now we just need to sure up our defence, to minimise Harlequins opportunities.”
Saturday’s game will again form part of a double-header, with Loughborough University’s men taking on Plymouth Albion in National One at 3pm, following on from Lightning’s noon kick off.
Report courtesy of Loughborough University
