New Lightning captain Daisy Hibbert-Jones using experience around her in new role

Daisy Hibbert-Jones wants to use the experience around her to ensure she feels right at home as the new Loughborough Lightning captain.

The 23-year-old steps up to the role outright this season, having shared duties with Rachel Malcolm last term, in a big show of faith from head coach Nathan Smith.

Lightning boast a number of experienced internationals, including World Cup winner Sadia Kabeya and Scotland stalwart Helen Nelson, and Hibbert-Jones revealed she is planning to leverage everything she can from those who have played all over the world as part of her new-look leadership.

“It was quite a nerve-wracking thing for me, especially at the start of the season,” she said.

“Rachel Malcolm led the team so well for a long period of time, I think there was nobody better for me to learn from. Doing it as co-captains last year was the best preparation for me this year.

“I think the calibre of players we have at Loughborough, the leaders that we have in the group is only going to make my job easier.

“I don’t think anyone as a leader is ever a finished product. I want to use the collaborative side of things.

“I have not had half the experiences some of the girls have had in high pressure situations and I want to use that.”

Hibbert-Jones plans to lead by example with her performances both on the training paddock and on matchdays.

The 23-year-old started every PWR match for Lightning last season but is determined to keep improving as she eyes a return to the Red Roses set-up.

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The back row made her England debut in October 2023 and has been within the orbit of the squad ever since but was not part of the 2025 World Cup squad.

Time spent in camp helping the squad prepare for their World Cup matches only further whetted the appetite to break down John Mitchell’s door for selection.

“It would be foolish of me not to say that is definitely an ambition of mine and something that I am striving to achieve,” she added.

“It’s the start of a new cycle. If not now, then when? It’s a great opportunity to start the season strong and go away and work on the things I have spoken to the England coaches about. Hopefully we will see that, and I can stick my hand up for selection.

“I want to maintain my consistency within Loughborough, be able to perform every match and make sure I am leading by example as captain.”

In a summer of change for most PWR clubs, Lightning’s off-season has been one largely of consistency, with the bulk of Smith’s squad staying together.

Malcolm and England legend Emily Scarratt are amongst the notable departures, though Scarratt is remaining within the camp as a coach having retired as a player in October.

The 35-year-old earned 119 caps for the Red Roses and won the World Cup twice, invaluable experience that Smith hopes to harness on the touchline this season.

He said: “She is a hell of a rugby player, pound-for-pound she is one of the best rugby players I have ever seen; that’s male, female, rugby league, rugby union.

“We will miss her experience on the field, how she manages a game, her calm nature but we are incredibly lucky that she is staying with Loughborough Lightning and Loughborough University as a coach to develop our game and to develop those younger players.

“There aren’t many greater people to have as a sounding board. We are finding our feet with Scaz coming in on the coaching side and she is adding finesse to what we are already doing.

“Scaz is calm-natured, she sees the game differently to me which is exactly what we need. Her attention to detail in the moment is going to really help development and tweak some of the things we are doing.”