The 23-year-old off spinner is a product of the Hampshire Pathway, and she made her county debut in 2016 at the age of 15.

Her Southern Vipers debut came the following year against Lancashire Thunder in the Kia Super Leage.

The all-rounder went on to represent Vipers on more than 50 occasions, claiming 77 wickets, scoring 647 runs and helping her side to multiple titles in the Charlotte Edwards Cup and Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.

Charlie was called into the England squad for the ODI series against New Zealand in 2021 and finished as England’s leading wicket taker, claiming 10 wickets at an average of 19.20 with a best of four for 36.

In total she has represented her country on 69 occasions, amassing 463 runs and taking 108 wickets with a best of five for 31.

She was named PCA Women’s ODI Player of the Year in 2022 and signed her first central contract in November of that year. Charlie played for London Spirit in The Hundred and was a part of the side that lifted the trophy at Lord’s this summer.

After signing for her new club, Charlie said: “I’m really excited to get going with Somerset this summer. The Club has been integral to the growth of women’s cricket in the South West, and aligning professional women’s cricket back to the counties will only give us more exposure. I’ve really enjoyed playing at Taunton over the years and am looking forward to calling the Cooper Associates County Ground my home.

“The Club has a rich history of success in the men’s game, and this is something we are keen to replicate as the women’s team. It’s a great opportunity for us to share knowledge and work together across both practice and performance environments. Seeing how they go about it will be brilliant for the girls.

“I would love to make some winning contributions at Somerset with both bat and ball, helping the team to bring home some silverware. I’m looking forward to continuing to expand my game as well as sharing my experience with younger players.”

Somerset Women Head Coach, Trevor Griffin: “I’m delighted that Charlie has decided to join Somerset and we’re all really excited to see her play when her international commitments allow.

“Her enthusiasm and energy are infectious, and she’s a genuine team player. She possesses great skill and experience and loves to share her knowledge. Charlie is a tremendous addition to the team and I’m sure our supporters will be excited to see her playing for us in 2025.”

Somerset CCC Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry added: “To have been able to attract a player of Charlie’s genuine quality will provide a terrific boost to our squad.

“Charlie has shown her ability at the very highest level of the game and is a genuine match winner. She will have a huge impact on the field, adding really quality and depth as well as adding to the team off the field.y

“It’s exciting to be able to announce a player of such quality.”

With thanks to Somerset CCC

Tessier who was named on World Rugby’s shortlist for World Player of the Year, was the leading points-scorer at WXV, and in the PWR, she has helped take Exeter Chiefs eight points clear at the top of the table.

As part of the partnership, Oval has developed analytics products bespoke to women’s rugby, the first use of machine learning on performance data in the sport. The new deal will also provide cutting-edge live data for our matches on TNT Sports, as well as supplying the PWR clubs with statistical information to improve their analysis of games.

For the latest Oval Insights PWR Rankings click here.

Tessier said: “Data has never been more important in elite sport than it is today. Oval Insights will be feeding the analysts at every club but also using advanced analytics as a tool to highlight the rich depth of talent throughout the league and simplify the game: fewer numbers, maximum impact, and richer stories.

“Women’s rugby is on the verge of huge growth in popularity, with the Women’s World Cup next year, and it’s crucial the player stories are at the heart of this. Rugby can be a complicated sport, so Oval Analytics will help media, our clubs, and PWR tell those stories and make the players and clubs more accessible to fans, new and old.”

Amy Kimber-Roberts, Strategy and Operations Director at Premiership Women’s Rugby added: “This is a crucial partnership for PWR as we move towards one of the most important periods in the history of women’s rugby in England.

“There will be dozens of PWR players at next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup, and we want to be in a position where we can tell their stories to a wider audience as those players go from the world stage to our stage.

Ben Mackriell, managing director at Oval Insights added: “This season, Oval will become the official data provider for PWR. We share the common goal of promoting the league to new audiences – and enriching the experience of current fans – through innovative analytics. We want to use data to celebrate individual and team successes, bringing fans closer to the action and developing an understanding of the game.

“We can’t wait to bring more insight, more entertainment, and more ways to engage with PWR this season.”

With thanks to the PWR

The LTA have today announced that Laura Robson has been appointed as the Tournament Director of the new Women’s WTA 500 event at The Queen’s Club in London.

The former British No 1 and Olympic Silver medallist will take the reins of the new event, which will bring women’s tour level tennis back to London for the first time in over 50 years.

Laura was previously Tournament Director of the Nottingham Open WTA 250 / ATP Challenger Event, taking up the post in 2023 as part of the LTA’s work with former players who wish to move into other tennis roles after their retirement.

Another player working on LTA events is Jamie Murray, who will return in his role as Tournament Director of the ATP 500 event at the Queen’s Club.

Following Laura’s appointment, Amy Hitchinson has been chosen as the new Tournament Director at Nottingham, having undertaken the same role at Birmingham in 2024, which means that over 70% of LTA grass court major events will have female tournament directors.

Rebecca James, Rik Smith and Kirsty Thomson will continue in their Tournament Director roles at the LTA’s events in Eastbourne, Ilkley and Roehampton respectively, with Kirsty also taking on the new combined event at Birmingham.

Hospitality for the women’s WTA 500 event at The Queen’s Club is now on sale. Hospitality packages can be purchased via the LTA’s partner Keith Prowse at www.keithprowse.co.uk  General admission tickets for the women’s event will go on sale early in 2025.

Tickets for the ATP 500 event at The Queen’s Club are now on sale to LTA Advantage Members via the LTA website and go on general sale on 28^th November 2024.

Laura Robson said: “I’m delighted to be taking up this role next summer. It’s very exciting that women’s tennis is returning to the Queen’s Club for the first time in over 50 years. It’s an iconic venue and has been voted Tournament of the Year by the men many times. I’m confident that the women’s event will be just as thrilling and I can’t wait to get started.”

Chris Pollard, the LTA’s Managing Director, Commercial and Operations, said “Laura did a fantastic job at Nottingham and received a lot of plaudits from the players. We’re very pleased she will now be taking on this important role at Queens next year.  We have worked hard to ensure British players such as Laura and Jamie can continue to use their knowledge and experience for the benefit of the game in this country, and it’s great news they will both be part of our experienced cohort of Tournament Directors.”

With thanks to the LTA

Lancashire’s Smale joins up with the IT20 group today following the withdrawal of Bess Heath who suffered a fractured thumb.

Meanwhile, seamer Ryana MacDonald-Gay has been called up to the Test squad.

She will join up with the group tomorrow (Wednesday 27 November).

Both players made their senior international debuts in England Women’s tour to Ireland in September 2024.

With thanks to the ECB

A product of the Gloucestershire Pathway, Dani made her debut for the county in 2014 at the age of just 13. After a number of successful campaigns, she moved to Wales ahead of the 2019 season.

After making her way through Western Storm’s South West Regional Development Programme, she made her full Storm debut in the 2018 Kia Super League and was part of the squad that lifted the title the following summer.

In total, the 23-year-old represented Western Storm on 24 occasions in List A cricket, claiming 20 wickets with a best of three for 42 and scoring over 450 runs with a best of 76. In her 33 T20 matches for Storm she compiled more than 360 runs with a top score of 62 and took 28 wickets with a best of four for 23.

A former England Academy player, Dani made her full international debut in last summer’s Ashes series. She has since gone on to represent her country on 22 occasions in T20 cricket, scoring 147 runs with a best of 41 not out and claiming 10 wickets with a best of two for 22.

The right-hander has also played for Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash and London Spirit in The Hundred.

Dani said: “It’s an exciting new era. I’ve heard from a few of the girls recently who have said that winter training is going great so far and I’m excited to be a part of that when I can.

“The South West region has done so much for my cricket. Trevor Griffin called me into the Storm team when I was just 16, I’m 23 now and to still be representing the South West is very important to me and I’m really grateful for this opportunity.

“Somerset have always been good at supporting the women’s game and it’s great to be aligned with Somerset. We’re looking forward to getting women’s cricket going in the county even more than it already is and the goal is to help Somerset win silverware.”

Somerset Women Head Coach, Trevor Griffin is delighted that he will be continuing to work with the all-rounder. “I’m thrilled that Dani has agreed to play for Somerset when her England commitments allow,” he said. “I’ve seen her game grow since she was 15 and there is plenty more still to come.  A game changer with bat, ball and in the field, she’ll certainly be entertaining our supporters, and I can’t wait to join up with her again.”

Somerset Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry added: “Dani is a player of genuine quality, and we are pleased to have a player who possesses such a tremendous skill set across all facets of the game.

“She has gained a vast range of experience and developed into a truly three-dimensional cricketer, and last year’s international recognition was richly deserved. We look forward to the impact she can add to our environment and to seeing her continue to thrive at the highest level of the game.”

With thanks to Somerset CCC

First up, Liverpool’s home clash with Brighton & Hove Albion at the St Helens Stadium will be shown live on Sky Sports and under the floodlights on Friday 17 January, kicking off at 7pm.

On Sunday 19 January meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur against Leicester City at Brisbane Road will be broadcast on BBC iPlayer and Website with a 12.30pm kick-off, before the weekend’s action is rounded off with a Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium on Sky Sports, 6.45pm KO.

Remaining Barclays Women’s Super League matches for the same match weekend will be streamed on the Barclays WSL YouTube channel.

Fans overseas should check their local listings for broadcast details, while countries without a broadcast deal will see all matches available on YouTube.

Barclays Women’s Super League broadcast picks

With thanks to the FA

In a star-studded evening in Monaco and surrounded by legends of the game, South Africa’s Pieter-Steph du Toit and England’s Ellie Kildunne have been named World Rugby Men’s and Women’s 15s Player of the Year, respectively.

The Springbok flanker wins the prestigious accolade for the second time, having also been named World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year in 2019, and joins a very select group of players that have won this Award more than once in All Blacks Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Beauden Barrett.

Full-back Ellie Kildunne claims the coveted prize for the first time after playing a key role in the Red Roses’ perfect 2024 campaign that saw them win all 10 matches played and secure the Women’s Six Nations and WXV 1 titles.

In a year that saw rugby sevens’ coming of age at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and first SVNS Grand Final in Madrid, Australia’s Maddison Levi and France’s Antoine Dupont received the World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year awards in partnership with HSBC for their performances and achievements on the pitch.

It is a case of third time lucky for Levi after her nominations in 2022 and 2023, and recognising her incredible year which saw the Australian set a new record for most tries in a single Olympic Games (14) after scoring 69 tries on the HSBC SVNS 2024, the second-highest figure in men’s or women’s series history. The prolific finisher becomes the third Australian recipient after Emilee Cherry and Charlotte Caslick.

French star Dupont, who helped France win their first HSBC SVNS titles since 2007 in Los Angeles, Madrid as well as Olympic gold on home soil in Paris becomes the first male player in history to be named World Rugby Player of the Year in both sevens and 15s (2021 and 2024).

Dupont’s sevens head coach Jérôme Daret was named World Rugby Coach of the Year, recognising his efforts in ending a 19-year wait for an SVNS title Cup and steering France to Olympic gold in July. Daret is the first sevens coach to receive this award.

During the evening, five legends of the game were inducted in the World Rugby Hall of Fame in Emilee Cherry (Australia), DJ Forbes (New Zealand), Donna Kennedy (Scotland), Chris Laidlaw (New Zealand) and Sergio Parisse (Italy), while Vickii Cornborough (England) received the International Rugby Players Special Merit Award for her impact, both on and off the field of play, shaping among her many achievements the support available to women’s players in England through her role on the Rugby Players’ Association board.

WORLD RUGBY AWARDS 2024 – WINNERS

Selected by the World Rugby Awards panels (except for International Rugby Players Try of the Year categories voted by fans online)

World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year: Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)

Springboks forward Pieter-Steph du Toit becomes only the fourth male player to win the award more than once. Du Toit was an integral part of the South Africa side that won a first Rugby Championship title in five years and followed that up with a perfect Autumn Nations Series tour, beating Scotland, England and Wales. Only three players made more carries than him during The Rugby Championship and Du Toit has come up with some vital tries as well, crossing the whitewash for the fourth time in 2024 during the 29-20 defeat of England at Allianz Stadium.

Nominees: Caelan Doris (Ireland), Eben Etzebeth (South Africa), Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)

World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year: Ellie Kildunne (England)

Ellie Kildunne was the standout performer as England once again swept aside their rivals in 2024. The full-back scored a remarkable nine tries as the Red Roses claimed another Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam and then – having represented Great Britain at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 – dusted off her trademark cowboy celebration a further four times as England defended their WXV 1 title in Canada. In total, Kildunne scored 14 tries in only 10 test appearances during a year to remember.

Nominees: Pauline Bourdon Sansus (France), Alex Matthews (England), Alex Tessier (Canada)

World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC: Antoine Dupont (France)

Only the second player, male or female, to win both the sevens and 15s Player of the Year awards, it is hard to quantify the impact Antoine Dupont had on France’s fortunes. Prior to Dupont’s arrival, Les Bleus Sevens were a good team, but they had not won a series title in 19 years. He helped end that long wait in his second tournament, in Los Angeles in March, and would go on to propel the side to HSBC SVNS Championship success and an Olympic gold medal. In front of packed Stade de France crowds at Paris 2024, Dupont was at his inspirational best, scoring four tries, including the match-confirming score in the quarter-final against Argentina and a brace to help beat back-to-back defending champions Fiji in the gold medal match.

Nominees: Aaron Grandidier Nkanang (France), Terry Kennedy (Ireland)

World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC: Maddison Levi (Australia)

It was another awe-inspiring year for Australia star Maddison Levi, who claims the award for the first time having been nominated in 2022 and 2023. Levi scored 69 tries across the HSBC SVNS 2024 to help drive her side to the Championship title in Madrid. Only five women have scored more tries in series history than the Australian, which is some feat given she only made her debut in November 2021. Levi followed up her SVNS heroics by crossing the whitewash 14 times in six matches at Paris 2024. But despite racking up two hat-tricks and one four-try haul, she could not help her country to a medal, losing the bronze medal match to USA.

Nominees: Michaela Blyde (New Zealand), Jorja Miller (New Zealand)

World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year: Wallace Sititi (New Zealand)

Son of former Samoa captain Semo Sititi, Wallace Sititi has been on an incredible journey this year. Heading into 2024, Sititi was yet to make his Super Rugby Pacific debut for the Chiefs, but he has gone on to become an almost automatic pick in the All Blacks back row. The 22-year-old came of age during a narrow defeat to South Africa in Cape Town in which he went toe-to-toe with a strong Springbok pack, and he has been a near ever-present since that day. Sititi started all five of New Zealand’s matches on their end-of-year tour of Japan and Europe.

Nominees: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (South Africa), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England), Jamie Osborne (Ireland)

World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year: Erin King (Ireland)

Ireland flanker Erin King has enjoyed an incredible rise since transitioning from sevens following the Olympic Games Paris 2024. King made her test debut in only her fourth senior 15s match and then provided a match-winning cameo against the six-time world champion Black Ferns in the opening round of WXV 1 in Vancouver. That two-try performance as a replacement earned her a first start against Canada and she retained the number six jersey for Ireland’s final WXV 1 assignment against USA. King scored the first of her side’s four tries as they secured a 26-14 victory and second place in the standings.

Nominees: Maddie Feaunati (England), Caitlyn Halse (Australia), Hannah King (New Zealand)

World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year

Four nations are represented in the Dream Team with world champions South Africa boasting seven players, Ireland four, New Zealand three and Argentina one.

1. Ox Nche (South Africa) 2. Malcolm Marx (South Africa) 3. Tyrel Lomax (New Zealand) 4. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa) 5. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland) 6. Pablo Matera (Argentina) 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa) 8. Caelan Doris (Ireland) 9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland) 10. Damian McKenzie (New Zealand) 11. James Lowe (Ireland) 12. Damian de Allende (South Africa) 13. Jesse Kriel (South Africa) 14. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa) 15. Will Jordan (New Zealand).

World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year:

Six nations are represented in the Dream Team with unbeaten England accounting for six players, Canada and New Zealand three apiece and one each for USA, Ireland and France.

1. Hope Rogers (USA), 2. Georgia Ponsonby (New Zealand) 3. Maud Muir (England) 4. Zoe Aldcroft (England) 5. Laetitia Royer (Canada) 6. Aoife Wafer (Ireland) 7. Sophie de Goede (Canada) 8. Alex Matthews (England) 9. Pauline Bourdon Sansus (France) 10. Holly Aitchison (England) 11. Katelyn Vahaakolo (New Zealand) 12. Alex Tessier (Canada) 13. Sylvia Brunt (New Zealand) 14. Abby Dow (England) 15. Ellie Kildunne (England).

World Rugby Men’s Sevens Dream Team of the Year in partnership with HSBC:

Selvyn Davids (South Africa), Antoine Dupont (France), Aaron Grandidier Nkanang (France), Terry Kennedy (Ireland), Nathan Lawson (Australia), Ponipate Loganimasi (Fiji), Matías Osadczuk (Argentina).

World Rugby Women’s Sevens Dream Team of the Year in partnership with HSBC:

Olivia Apps (Canada), Michaela Blyde (New Zealand), Kristi Kirshe (USA), Maddison Levi (Australia), Ilona Maher (USA), Jorja Miller (New Zealand), Séraphine Okemba (France).

International Rugby Players Men’s Try of the Year: Nolann Le Garrec (France, v England, Men’s Six Nations, 17 March)

A brilliant team try from the Men’s Six Nations takes the award. Nolann Le Garrec finished off a flowing counterattack for France against England in March after a stolen lineout had set the platform for Gaël Fickou and Léo Barré to show their class. A sumptuous dummy and offload from the latter putting the score on a plate for scrum-half Le Garrec.

Nominees: James Lowe (Ireland, v England, Men’s Six Nations, 10 March), Lorenzo Pani (Italy, v Wales, Men’s Six Nations, 17 March), Akaki Tabutsadze (Georgia, v Australia, July

International Rugby Players Women’s Try of the Year: Marine Ménager (France, v Canada, WXV 1, 29 September)

It is a French Try of the Year double as Lina Queyroi and Marine Ménager’s quick thinking struck a chord with voters. Having launched an impressive 50:22 in Les Bleues’ WXV 1 encounter with Canada in Vancouver, Queyroi caught the home defence napping and delivered a swift lineout throw to the onrushing Ménager, who cantered over the try-line. Magnifique.

International Rugby Players Special Merit Award: Vickii Cornborough (England)

Former England prop Vickii Cornborough officially announced her international retirement in April having played 75 times for the Red Roses. During a glittering playing career, Cornborough won six Women’s Six Nations titles, five Grand Slams and started two Women’s Rugby World Cup finals, both of which ended in heart-breaking defeats to the Black Ferns. Away from the pitch, she served as the vice-chair of the Rugby Players’ Association in England and played a pivotal role in the creation of the Rugby Football Union’s maternity policy.

World Rugby Coach of the Year: Jérôme Daret (France)

The man who masterminded France’s sevens renaissance, Jérôme Daret, is recognised as Coach of the Year – the first-ever sevens recipient. Daret has overseen the team’s transformation into HSBC SVNS contenders, leading his side to only their second-ever series title, in Los Angeles in March, and following that up with a stunning HSBC SVNS Championship success in Madrid. Daret’s crowning moment came at Paris 2024 in July when he guided Les Bleus Sevens past Argentina, South Africa and Fiji and onto the top step of the Olympic podium in front of a sold-out Stade de France.

With thanks to World Rugby

Their defeat marked their second loss in two consecutive T20 World Cups after losing to Australia by 19 runs in the 2023 final.

The Proteas will host England for an inbound tour consisting of three T20 matches, three One Day Internationals, and a one-off Test match. The first T20 match will get underway at Buffalo Park in East London on Sunday (14:00 start SA Time).

England beat South Africa by seven wickets the last time they met at the Sharjah Cricket Ground in the United Arab Emirates in the group stages of the global showpiece.

The former champions would later be upset by a six-wicket loss at the hands of the West Indies, failing to progress to the semi-finals for the first time since 2010.

In preparation, South Africa were in a pre-tour camp in Pretoria before they made the trip to East London for the first T20I on Sunday.

All-rounder Dercksen told Sportsboom.com that she believes both teams will have a lot of areas they will want to correct, but she expects England to be on the front foot in an attempt to correct their shortfalls at the tournament.

“The mood in the camp is quite positive; the girls haven’t seen each other in a while, some of us have played some provincial cricket, and we are just overall excited to see each other and to get going with the series as the team again.”

“Our last encounter with them at the World Cup was a bit closer than they would have wanted; we know we didn’t play our best game that day, but it will all stay in the past, and we will all start on zero again, and we are eager to get going with the series.”

“The expectation is that they will try to put their best foot forward in the series; obviously they didn’t have the World Cup that they wanted or anticipated to have, so I think just like us, they would have gone back to the drawing board.”

“They will have a lot of things they want to improve on. It will be a great contest, and we know they will bring their A-game.”

Both sides last clashed in a bilateral T20 series in July 2022; England were the hosts then, and they came out on top with a 3-0 win. South Africa, on the other hand, outside reaching the two finals, has had its fair share of struggles in this format.

Since the 2023 World Cup, they have played a total of seven series, and they have only managed to achieve a win percentage of 30.4%. In the 23 matches they have played, they have only managed to win seven, with five no results and eleven losses.

The 2-1 series win against Pakistan prior to the World Cup did however hand them a lot of momentum, and Dercksen hopes they will be able to carry the same momentum heading into this series, and they can use it to begin the road to the next World Cup in two years’ time.

“We would like to win the series; England is a quality opponent, and it’s going to be a good contest, and we would be looking to win it.”

“It will be our first time playing back home since the conclusion of the World Cup, and the team would definitely like to continue that momentum from the tournament into the series.”

“It has been wonderful for us to compete with the top sides in the world; the environment we have at the moment, the players, support staff, and coaches we have are all driven and very high performance focused.

“It is just a lovely environment to be a part of, and hopefully we continue building and we can bring the World Cup back home.”

With thanks to https://www.sportsboom.com/cricket/

The USA Olympic Sevens bronze medallist has been selected at inside centre alongside Red Roses star Emily Scarratt in an all-star midfield for the cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens showdown on Saturday 23 November (kick-off: 2pm).

Kelter has made more than 70 appearances for America in both Sevens and in 15s, appearing in two Rugby World Cups and three Olympic games.

Co-captain Helen Nelson switches from inside centre to fullback, with Fran Goldthorp also swapping the 15 shirt for a role on the right wing as she seeks to pass the 400 metres-carried mark after gobbling up 393 metres in just three-and-a-half games.

Meg Davey and Helena Rowland remain as the half-back partnership and, fresh from her remarkable try against Exeter Chiefs, Canadian star Krissy Scurfield is on the left wing.

There’s a first Lightning start for loosehead prop Anne Young, who is one of two changes to the front row that featured from the start against Exeter Chiefs as Kathryn Treder – a tryscorer from the bench at Sandy Park – gets the nod over Elis Martin, who is included among the replacements.

The remainder of the pack remains unchanged as Laura Keates will be aiming to make it three tries in as many games as she keeps her role at tighthead prop.

Lilli Ives Campion and Abby Duguid are paired in the second row while the back row, that made 60 tackles between them against Exeter Chiefs, is unchanged.

Hallie Taufoou – the league’s joint-top lineout poacher – operates from blindside flanker, PWR’s second most prolific tackler (81) Kendall Waudby is at openside while Daisy Hibbert Jones anchors the pack at number eight. The co-captain is in the division’s top ten for carries (59) and gainline carries (33).

Versatile prop Isla Curphey rotates to the bench which includes Amelia Williams, who made her Lightning debut in this head-to-head last season at the Gardens.

Forwards Issy Winter and Becky Boyd retain their places among the replacements as does centre Carmela Morrall. Leia Brebner-Holden provides the alternative scrum-half option and Bulou Mataitoga wears the number 23 shirt.

“We’re delighted to let Alev loose on the PWR. She is a world class operator and has already brought so much to our environment,” said head coach Nathan Smith.

“There was so much for us to be proud of from our performance at Sandy Park. We’re locked in on delivering an 80-minute performance against Tigers in front of our fans at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.”

LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING vs LEICESTER TIGERS

Premiership Women’s Rugby, Round 7

Saturday 23 November, 2024

Kick-off: 2pm

15 Helen Nelson (cc)

14 Fran Goldthorp

13 Emily Scarratt

12 Alev Kelter – Lightning debut #141

11 Krissy Scurfield

10 Helena Rowland

9 Megan Davey

1 Anne Young – First Lightning start

2 Kathryn Treder

3 Laura Keates

4 Abby Duguid

5 Lilli Ives Campion

6 Hallie Taufoou

7 Kendall Waudby

8 Daisy Hibbert-Jones (cc)

Replacements:

16 Elis Martin

17 Amelia Williams

18 Isla Curphey

19 Issy Winter

20 Becky Boyd

21 Leia Brebner-Holden

22 Carmela Morrall

23 Bulou Mataitoga

Unavailable for selection: Emma Wassell, Sadia Kabeya, Rachel Malcolm, Cath O’Donnell, Catherine Wells, Ellen Scantlebury, Bo Westcombe-Evans, Christine Belisle, Grace Clifford, Alicia Maude.

With thanks to Loughborough Lightning

Italy’s Silvia Turani packs down at loosehead following her try last week at The Stoop against Sale Sharks. Connie Powell is in at hooker after her brace in the same fixture, and it’s Lizzie Hanlon who completes the front-row at tighthead.

Kaitlan Leaney and Abbie Fleming partner up again in the second-row, following their first starting performance together in the engine room last week.

Last round’s PWR team of the week inclusions Nicole Wythe and Alex Callender feature again on the flanks, with Captain Jade Konkel completing the unchanged forward pack at number eight.

Lucy Packer and Kayleigh Powell are the halfback partnership for the trip and it’s an all-English midfield partnership, with Lagi Tuima and Sarah Parry in the centres together for the fifth time this season.

Beth Wilcock comes into the starting fold on the wing, following a strong cameo off the bench last time out. She’s accompanied by Lisa Neumann at 11, with Spanish speedster Clàudia Peña moving to fullback following her PWR debut on the wing last Sunday.

Harlequins Head Coach Ross Chisholm said: “There has always been something in the Club’s history surrounding this fixture. There’s always been a fierce rivalry between the two clubs and as a player you want to play in these big games. They’re a really good side with a lot to offer and a lot of power so we’re really looking forward to the challenge this weekend in a great environment and a great occasion”

“Each team has a unique way in which they want to play, and Saracens are no different. It gives us another really exciting opportunity to go out there and focus on ourselves and the style of the play that we’re trying to deliver. We’re looking forward to Sunday”

Harlequins Starting XV

15.⁠ Clàudia Peña

14.⁠ Beth Wilcock⁠

13.⁠ ⁠Sarah Parry

12.⁠ ⁠Lagi Tuima

11.⁠ ⁠Lisa Neumann

10.⁠ ⁠Kayleigh Powell

9.⁠ ⁠Lucy Packer (vc)

1.⁠ ⁠Silvia Turani

2.⁠ ⁠Connie Powell

3.⁠ ⁠Lizzie Hanlon

4.⁠ ⁠Abbie Fleming

5.⁠ ⁠Kaitlan Leaney

6.⁠ ⁠Nicole Wythe

7.⁠ ⁠Alex Callender

8.⁠ ⁠Jade Konkel (c)

Impact Players

16. Carys Phillips

17. Laura Delgado

18. Babalwa Latsha

19. Sarah Bonar

20. Danelle Lochner

21. Freya Aucken

22. Ella Cromack

23. Harriet Millar Mills

With thanks to Harlequins