Season Preview: Loughborough Lightning

Sadia Kabeya spent her summer striking fear into opponents from across the globe and she plans to pick up where she left off for Loughborough Lightning when the new Premiership Women's Rugby season gets underway.

The Lightning flanker was the star of the show at last summer's World Cup, starting every match for the victorious Red Roses and delivering a Player of the Match performance in the final against Canada.

Success at club level has been elusive, with Lightning yet to reach the play-offs since Kabeya joined in 2021, but the 23-year-old has full belief that this year will be theirs.

"I had time off and spent a bit of time in the sun with the girls but it’s good to be back into a routine and get into the PWR season," said Kabeya.

"[Our target] is always the same. Win or make top four.

"Last year, we ended the second half of the year in third place, so we want to start with the same momentum as we did towards the end of the season and push for a top four spot.

"We have the talent. We’ve always had it it’s about putting it on the field.

"I had a successful World Cup but for me it's about bringing that kind of level back to the PWR and topping it.

"I feel I haven't reached my ceiling yet so I want to be pivotal for the girls and push on for the top four."

Kabeya's quest for the top four will be aided by an array of talent that has been retained by head coach Nathan Smith, with fellow World Cup winners Helena Rowland and Lilli Ives-Campion also part of the squad.

USA's Alev Kelter will once again line up in the backs, with compatriots Bulou Mataitoga and Kathryn Treder also returning to the African Violets.

Long-serving fly-half Helen Nelson will once again pull the strings, while the exciting English talent is spear-headed by Bo Westcombe-Evans.

Ready to go for a brand new @ThePWR season 🙌 pic.twitter.com/C92lMzPU2R

— Loughborough Lightning Rugby ⚡️ (@LightningRugby) October 20, 2025

The 2025-26 PWR season gets underway off the back of a record-breaking World Cup on home soil, with 444,465 tickets were sold across the tournament and a staggering crowd of nearly 82,000 watching the final at Twickenham Stadium.

Women's rugby had never been so well supported, and Kabeya is excited for what the future holds for the game.

"It was amazing," added Kabeya. "Even just pulling up and being able to walk through the stadium seeing the crowd and hear the cheers and seeing the smiling faces.

"The final was an amazing day with the vibes around it and to come away with the win was the cherry on top.

"Selling out Twickenham is just the start. We already get good crowds at Franklin’s Gardens but it’ll be interesting to see how the demographic changes.

"Are we getting more men and kids? It'll be cool to see, and I think the knock-on effect overall will be positive."

What has changed at Loughborough Lightning?

The iconic Emily Scarratt has retired from all forms of the game and will now serve as an assistant coach under Lightning boss Nathan Smith.

Last season's co-captain Rachel Malcolm has departed, with Daisy Hibbert-Jones inheriting the armband on a full-time basis.

Canadian Krissy Scurfield is another notable absentee, returning to the sevens game after missing out on selection for the World Cup despite scoring 14 tries in 12 games last season.

The East Midlanders have recruited USA internationals Rachel Ehrecke and Keia Mae Sagapolu, Scotland's Lucia Scott, Canada's Fancy Bermudez and England age-grade internationals Ashton Adcock and Tamsin Baynes.

Their additions complement a roster bursting at the seams with young talent courtesy of Lightning's link to Loughborough University.

And Kabeya believes that heady mix of youth and experience can only stand the African Violets in good stead as they prepare for the upcoming PWR campaign.

"The good thing about Loughborough being linked to the university is that there’s a lot of talent coming through the ranks," continued Kabeya.  

"One person who has stuck out is Haineala Lutui. She has been a wrecking ball for Loughborough. 

"I think she had something like 60 carries in the PWR Cup so she’ll be something to look out for, especially in that forward pack, getting us that power and having names like that come through who are also able to get experience playing with international players and bringing their talent to the team."