Loughborough Lightning have extended the contract of 62-times capped England international, Laura Keates.
Keates was left without a club ahead of the 2023/24 season following the demise of Worcester Warriors and joined Lightning in March 2024, making her debut off the bench in the Allianz Cup victory over Sale Sharks in April.
The 35-year-old marked her first Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby start for Lightning with a try against Gloucester-Hartpury and also crossed for a crucial score in the 19-18 victory over Trailfinders Women – ending the season with five appearances.
Keates said: “I really wasn’t sure how I’d feel coming back to rugby but everyone at Lightning has been so supportive and made me feel so welcome.
“I got that buzz back from training and playing and wasn’t ready for it to all be over.
“Allianz PWR is such an incredible competition, and unfortunately due to injuries I’ve not been able to play for a whole season since this new league started, so I felt as if I still had more to achieve.
“Lightning have had some really tough games and it’s been amazing to be part of that again.”
Keates’ return to fitness and form was sufficient for Red Roses head coach John Mitchell to include her in his 40-player training camp squad that convened this week.
It is the tighthead prop’s first international involvement suffering a major knee injury at the postponed 2021 Rugby World Cup, that was held in 2022.
She said: “I didn’t expect to be called into camp so it was a real shock, but I’m so excited to be back involved with the Red Roses.”
Lightning head coach Nathan Smith said: “Laura has been through so much, suffering a major injury at a World Cup and then the demise of her club.
“Since coming into Lightning, she has been first class on and off the pitch and we feel fortunate to have her in our environment and we are delighted that she has agreed to extend her time with us.
“It is no surprise to us to see her back involved with the Red Roses and we hope she gets the opportunity to add to her 62 caps in the months ahead.”
With thanks to Loughborough Lightning
