'I believe she is the best player in the world': Kabeya re-signs with Loughborough

Loughborough Lightning have announced the retention of Women’s Rugby World Cup winning back-row Sadia Kabeya with their latest re-signing.

The 24-year-old has made 64 appearances for Lightning since her debut as a teenager in September 2021. So far this season she had scored seven tries in 10 Premiership Women’s Rugby matches.

A contracted England Red Rose, Kabeya has made 28 Test appearances since her 2021 debut and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire [MBE] in the King’s 2026 New Year Honours List.

“I just love the club,” Kabeya told Loughborough Lightning. “I’ve been here for five years, and I love the girls and the style of rugby.

“I love what Nathan’s done with the programme, and I’ve made leaps and bounds in my development in the last couple of years.”

New terms for Kabeya follow hot on the heels of a number of previous multi-year contract extensions, including the retention of Daisy Hibbert-Jones, Keevy Fitzpatrick, Mae Sagapolu, Helena Rowland, Carmela Morrall and Meg Davey.

Alongside her rugby commitments, Kabeya studies Sport Science with Physical Education and Coaching at Loughborough University.

Upon conformation that Kabeya’s England teammate, Rowland, was staying in the East Midlands the team’s head coach, Nathan Smith, described the versatile back as “world class.”

When it comes to Kabeya, Smith had even higher praise for the flanker, who was named Player of the Match in the Women’s Rugby World Cup final at Allianz Stadium last September.

“Re-signing Sadia is a massive statement of intent for Lightning to make, as I believe she is the best player in the world,” Smith said.

“She came back to us having been awarded player of the match in the World Cup final. She has since taken her game onto another level with Lightning, which is a huge credit to her given she achieved the biggest honour possible in the sport at such a young age.

“We’re fortunate to have Sadia in our environment and it is a pleasure to work with her day-in, day-out. What people see is her brilliant performances on the pitch, but we get to see her grafting here to stay at the peak of her physical powers and improving her game.

“Sadia hasn’t had it all her own way. She has had setbacks in her career but has always worked exceptionally hard during those periods of time to bounce back and become the player she is today. I believe there is still growth within her game, and I am happy Lightning is going to be the place to unlock it.”

Over the years Kabeya has built a reputation as one of the most tireless operators on a rugby pitch. This could no more be seen than at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup on home soil where the 24-year-old was the tournament’s top tackler [112] as she took part in five of England’s six matches at the tournament.

In the second half of the PWR season, Lighting have experienced a downturn in form and seen their ambition of finishing the season as a top four team waver.

Currently seventh in the league table, five points adrift of Sale Sharks in fourth, Lightning travel to fellow top four hopefuls Trailfinders Women ahead of the international break.

“I still feel like I have 100,000 things to learn,” Kabeya said. “It’s really exciting to be in a group where you’ve got young girls coming through who are so talented, and I can also learn a lot from them.

“There’s so much talent coming through the programme, young players coming through like Ala Lutui, and I’m really excited to take on that leadership role as I become a more experienced player. It’s a great setup to keep learning and growing.

“I’ve got so much more to give. I want to be the best player in the world, in my position, and for me, it’s achieving that. The better I am as an individual player, the more I can contribute to Lightning and England.”