WELCOME FROM RHYS EDWARDS

RHYS EDWARDS DIRECTOR OF RUGBY

Welcome all to Loughborough University for another Allianz Premier 15s Fixture.

This week we welcome DMP Durham Sharks to the University in Round 12 of the AP15s. DMP have a long history within the women’s game having produced a number of Red Roses, in particular former Lightning player and England legend Katy Daley McLean. This season has been a difficult season for them amid transition, but I am confident that they will manage their way out and become a force of old.

We head in this game full of confidence following our win away at Wasps. The first half in particular was impressive, with our tempo and accuracy too good for wasps. We did however take our foot off the accelerator and allowed Wasps to come back into the game, before finishing strongly. Any win against Wasps is good but to do it as comfortable as we did was very pleasing. The challenge now is to back that up this week and ensure that we are accurate and consistent.

Last week saw us introduce some new faces. It is with great pleasure that we welcome USA Internationals Bulou (Mataitoga) and Hallie (Taufoou) to the Loughborough family, with both becoming #099 and #100 respectively, in terms of heritage numbers. We have also this week managed to secure the return of Lightning stalwart Carys Williams after a spell at Wasps. To have the quality of these players available is great for the squad and ensure that we continually build towards the end of the season.

Good luck also goes to both Abbie Brown and Georgina Tasker this weekend who both play for England 7s in the World Series. Abbie cocaptain’s the squad, with Georgina having her first taste of senior international 7s. Go well both.

We hope that you enjoy today and please come say hello post game in JCs bar.

Rhys Edwards Director of Rugby