East Midlands derby win would 'mean everything' to Leicester and Anstead

A derby win against Loughborough Lightning would mean everything to Leicester Tigers - and it would mean that bit more to Amelie Anstead.

The East Midlands derby is one Anstead knows well having made the move down the M1 this summer, switching the purple of Lightning for the green and red of their local rivals.

Tigers are still looking for their first win of the season following defeats in their opening three fixtures and for Anstead, there would be no better time to get it.

“For me, it would be a huge win. [It would be] something that I'd love and that the girls also need,” said the 22-year-old.

“We've been putting in the hard work in the gym, off the field, on the field and having that win, especially being a derby, it would mean everything to the girls.

“We're trying hard not to focus on the outcomes, but the processes behind it. So focusing on how we're improving, not necessarily the scorelines.”

Next up for the Tigers!
📅 Saturday, November 29- 3pm
📍 cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens pic.twitter.com/R1VxKdKjW7

— Leicester Tigers Women's (@TigersWomens) November 24, 2025

It is surely tempting, however, to think about the possibilities of what a win at cinch Stadium @ Franklin's Gardens could mean.

Leicester are ensuring the sense of rivalry is not lost on their players with Director of Women’ Rugby Fraser Goatcher leaning on the history of the fixture to bring added motivation to his players.

“Anyone who's local has a sense of this rivalry," he said.

"But we have quite a few new girls who have never experienced it before, so we have done some education around it this week.

“We've leant heavily into some different clips and footage of games gone past, both on the men's side and the women's side. 

“That's been good to hammer home the fact that this is the East Midlands derby and it's the biggest derby in English rugby. It’s a challenge we're really excited for.”

Leicester do not need to worry about a shortage of footage to show in their history lessons having enjoyed strong form in this fixture, with two wins in their last three games at the ground.

Anstead was on the receiving end of defeat in the clash when she made her debut for Loughborough Lightning in the PWR Cup last season and she will return with a point to prove along with a wish for a little less drama.

“I was super excited because it was my first time playing for Lightning, but the game ended up being almost four hours long,” she recalled.

“It was delayed by lightning and then there was a load of head knocks so we had to pause the game for a doctor to come back.

“We didn't get the result but for me it was a huge opportunity to play at that level.

“I had a great three years at Loughborough, especially in the university setup - it's nice to have that pathway.

“But I'm at a point where I want to push to getting a Prem shirt. Tigers have given me that opportunity through the Cup and in the first couple of games of the season. 

“Playing in the game would be pretty big. Everyone wants to play against your old club.”

The full-back came to rugby relatively late, only starting the sport in earnest at 18, and her journey through the ranks at Loughborough University, where she studied Criminology and Psychology, represented her formative years in the sport.

“I've always grown up playing every sport,” said Anstead. “Netball was my main sport. 

"Then, I don’t want to say burnt myself out, but I was doing a lot of training through COVID and just ended up falling out of love with it. 

“I’m grateful for finding rugby later on because I've had that new lease of life and not been playing since I was like five.

“I found it by myself without anyone else pressuring me to start it. Now, I'm taking that on myself to see how far I can take this.”

She juggles training at Leicester Tigers with a job at The Deli at 58 in Loughborough which allows her flexibility and makes her a big hit with teammates.

“I always bring in all the spare cinnamon buns and stuff to the girls before training as a little pick me up,” she laughed.

“Long term, it's not something I want to do, but it's a job that allows me to play rugby and that's what I've taken the year out to do. 

“It's hard work, don't get me wrong, working 60-hour weeks plus training. But all the girls do it and that's a credit to them as individuals.”

🏉 pic.twitter.com/QmutGDpWUa

— Leicester Tigers Women's (@TigersWomens) September 9, 2025

Results on the pitch are yet to reflect the effort off it for Leicester Tigers after a summer with plenty of personnel change which focused their goals on to development this season.

It is an approach that has benefitted Anstead greatly as she benefits from the experience and advice of seasoned internationals like USA full-back Tess Feury.

While it may prove a steep learning curve, it is one Anstead hopes can help fulfil her aspiration of becoming a regular PWR starter while derby victory would provide a cherry on the top.

“I want to play as much as I can. That’s why everyone wants to do it,” she added.

“You're training with players that have just been at the World Cup. I look up to Tess Feury a lot. 

“She’s someone I would always go to and have a chat. She has been big for my confidence at the moment.

“I’m embracing the people and coaches that have experience around me and building off that.

“Getting the win for the girls from a Tigers perspective will mean a lot more.”