Source: Loughborough Lightning

Scarratt leaves Lightning for full-time Red Roses coach role

Loughborough Lightning have today confirmed that Emily Scarratt is leaving the club ahead of the 2026/27 season to take up a full-time position with the Red Roses. The two-time World Cup winner held a player-coach role with Lightning prior to her playing retirement last October, before becoming a full-time assistant coach ahead of the 2025/26

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Source: PWR

JAECOO Next Gen Cup Fixtures 2026-27

FIXTURES FOR THE 2026-27 SEASON Pool A: Saracens, Exeter Chiefs, Sale Sharks, Loughborough Lightning and Leicester Tigers Pool B: Harlequins, Bristol Bears, Trailfinders Women and Gloucester Hartpury SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 1pm – Bristol Bears v Trailfinders Women (North Bristol RFC) 1.30pm – Harlequins v Gloucester Hartpury (Twickenham Stoop) 2pm – Leicester Tigers v Saracens (Mattioli

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Women’s Performance Calendar Alignment for 26/27 Season

A joint RFU, PWR, BUCS and Celtic Challenge statement The Rugby Football Union (RFU), Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR), British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) and the Celtic Challenge are pleased to confirm that, following close collaboration, progress has been made to align the 2026/27 women’s performance rugby union calendar across international fixtures, PWR League and

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Source: Loughborough Lightning

Lightning confirm Mataigo and Finch leave the club

Loughborough Lightning have today confirmed that Bulou Mataitoga and Lucy Finch have left the club. Lightning players #99 and #135, respectively, Mataitoga and Finch, made a combined 71 appearances in African Violet. “Baz and Lucy have been brilliant for this club in their own respective ways,” said Lightning Head Coach Nathan Smith. “Baz brought a

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Source: New Zealand Rugby

Blair Baxter appointed Black Ferns XV head coach

Blair Baxter has been announced as the Black Ferns XV Head Coach for 2026-2027 alongside a trio of Black Ferns greats in Assistant Coaches Kelly Brazier, Carla Hohepa and Charmaine McMenamin. Matatū Head Coach Baxter will lead the Black Ferns XV 2026 high-performance campaign including a match against the Black Ferns on 14 August, and

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Source: Harlequins

Eva Sterritt joins Harlequins

Harlequins Women have confirmed the arrival of exciting young back Eva Sterritt. The talented youngster, who can play on the wing or at centre arrives having been part of the Exeter Chiefs U23s squad, whilst also captaining Exeter University’s BUCS Super Rugby side, as they reached the semi-finals. Sterritt has represented Ireland at age-grade level

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Source: Loughborough Lightning

Ten Lightning players sign new deals

Loughborough Lightning are delighted to confirm that a further ten senior players have extended their contracts ahead of the 2026/27 Jaecoo PWR season. It has been a busy off-season for the African Violets, with 12 new deals for existing players and six new signings announced so far this summer. Ahead of the squad reporting back

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Source: Harlequins

Italian International Sara Mannini joins Harlequins

Harlequins Women have confirmed the signing of Italian international Sara Mannini. Centre Mannini made her senior international debut against Japan in 2024 having represented her country at U18 and U20 level. Mannini was named in the Italian squad that played in the 2025 Rugby World Cup and featured in every game for her country during

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Lightning sign Canada World Cup Star Flo Symonds

Loughborough Lightning are delighted to announce the signing of Canadian centre Flo Symonds ahead of the 2026/27 Jaecoo PWR season. The 24 year old started at outside centre for the Canucks in their 2025 Rugby World Cup Final defeat to England at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, last September. Symonds has earned 18 caps for her country

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