Tahlia Brody signs for Loughborough Lightning, as Kathryn Treder signs a new contract

Loughborough Lightning are delighted to confirm the signing of USA international Tahlia Brody.

The powerful back row recently moved to 19 caps for her country during the Pacific Four Nations series, having made her debut against Spain in March 2023.

Brody’s rugby journey started as an 18-year-old while at SUNY Geneseo in her home state of New York, before commencing a journeyed career at multiple clubs Stateside and in Spain before joining Cheltenham Tigers in January 2023.

The New Yorker scored the winning try against Leicester Tigers in the Championship play-off title decider in April 2023, before making the switch between the two teams that summer ahead of Tigers’ first campaign in Premiership Women’s Rugby.

The 30-year-old has been a key performer for Tigers, scoring 12 tries 21 games, including three in four PWR games against Lightning across that period.

“Even before joining PWR I’ve followed Loughborough Lightning and have admired their playing style,” said Brody. “I really enjoy the fast-paced game they play and admire a lot of the players on the team.

“I really enjoyed my time at Leicester and gained a lot from my time there. I think that growth requires change and facing new challenges.”

Brody’s signing follows yesterday’s announcement that Bulou Mataitoga has re-signed for Lightning – with more announcements involving American players to follow later this week.

“It’s always nice to enter an environment where I already know people,” Brody added.  “They are all such amazing people and rugby players. I’m excited to bring the connection I am building with them at USA back to Loughborough.

“My personal goal for the season is to quickly adapt to the team’s environment and structure while focusing on elevating my individual strengths and identifying how my strengths can best support my teammates. From a club level, I want to make it to the play-offs.”

Having tasted victory on a couple of occasions as a visiting player to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, Brody is looking forward to calling the venue home for the 2025/26 season and beyond.

“It is a beautiful stadium,” she said. “The facilities are incredible and it’s been awesome to see the support that has come out. Super excited to be calling it my home field!”

Lightning head coach Nathan Smith said: “Tahlia has played well against Lightning in the past and caught the eye. With us losing Hallie [Taufoou] at the end of the season, it is an exceptional replacement for her.

“Even though she’s got a lot of experience under her belt already, there is still a lot of growth within her game. We sat down and we highlighted areas of improvement. We have also highlighted what she is doing well and what we need to double down on next year for her to keep growing.

“Tahlia seems from the conversations we’ve had, she is someone that is prepared to work really hard to improve and also be a positive influence on the growth of our environment as well.”

Following Brody, there was more good news for Lightining with prolific try-scoring hooker Kathryn Treder has put pen to paper on an extended contract at Loughborough Lightning.

Since arriving from Darlington Mowden Park in 2023, the 29-year-old has crossed the line a remarkable 19 times in 27 games. Her haul of nine tries in the 2024/25 Premiership Women’s Rugby was bettered by only seven other players.

Alongside her prowess domestically, Treder remains a mainstay in the USA national team having made her debut in 2019. During the recent Pacific Four Series, Treder moved to 29 caps and is on course to appear in a second Rugby World Cup after featuring in New Zealand in 2022 (delayed from 2021).

“The support I get at the club to improve my game is a massive reason as to why I am staying at Lightning,” said the Alaska-born forward. “I get to play alongside and train with world-class players. 

“Not only are they great players on the field and a lot of fun to play with, but also are great people off the pitch. The team has high potential and I really want to be a part of this team and see it break into the top four.

“Last season we showed a lot of growth, and we were really peaking towards the end winning five of our last seven games. Beating Saracens for the first time was one of my career highlights and beating Bristol reflected a lot of our potential and promise in the upcoming season. Hopefully we will be knocking on the door of the top four this season and I am excited to be a part of it."