On Saturday 7 October Loughborough Lightning Rugby will be looking to return to winning ways as they take on Firwood Waterloo at home in a 3pm kick off.
Having suffered defeat at the hands of Saracens and Harlequins in their last two games, Lightning will be looking to recapture the form that saw them defeat Worcester Valkyries 46-12 on the opening day of the season.
Like Lightning, Waterloo are new to the Premier 15s, but did win the Championship North last season, so have pedigree. That being said, the ladies in purple will be hoping to do the business, with Waterloo having lost their opening three games, two of those to Saracens and Harlequins.
Absent last week, Becky Noon returns to the starting line-up, as does Jenny Maxwell who returns after a two week spell playing Sevens in Brazil. Florence Williams also returns after concussion.
Of the task at hand Head Coach Rhys Edwards said: “The girls have really bounced back this week after a tough game against Quins at the weekend. We’ve really tried to tighten things up in defence and build on areas within our attack, which will hopefully put us in a good place going into the game against Waterloo. Waterloo are going to be a strong physical side so it’s going to be important that we stop them having ball; but the girls are confident they can score tries when they get the opportunity.”
The game will take place on the 1st XV pitch at 3pm.
Lightning line-up:
- Mags Lowish
- Leah Bartlett
- Ofure Ugiagbe
- Catherine O’Donnell
- Sarah Bonar
- Olivia Jones
- Becky Noon
- Sarah Hunter
- Lucy Nye
- Natasha Jones
- Bethan Zeidler
- Florence Williams
- Hannah Phillip
- Celia Quansah
- Jenny Maxwell
Replacements
- Rachel King
- Scarlett Cooper-Wall
- Jade Shakespeare
- Amelia Harper
- Amy Relf
- Emma Hardy
- Lizzie Adam
Report courtesy of Loughborough University
