'I wanted to challenge myself': Lightning add sixth Canada international to squad

Loughborough Lightning have added a sixth Canadian to their squad for the 2026/27 Premiership Women’s Rugby season.

Olympic silver medalist Florence Symonds will join her international teammates Pamphinette Buisa, Chloe Daniels, Brooke Rempel, Kiki Idowu and Rachel Smith at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens next season.

The 24-year-old has been on the international rugby scene since 2021 when she made her HSBC SVNS debut.

In 2022 she helped her country to a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and Olympic silver in Paris two years later.

Symonds her international 15-a-side debut in 2023 and had won 18 caps to date for Kévin Rouet’s team.

At Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 she started all six of Canada’s matches on their way to the Allianz Stadium final against the Red Roses.

“Loughborough has always stood out as a club with a really strong programme and a lot of quality players,” Symonds said.

“I wanted to challenge myself in a new environment, learn a different style of rugby to what I’ve been used to in Canada, and continue developing my game as a 15s player.

“From everything I’ve heard, it’s a really professional set-up with a great culture, so it felt like the right place to take that next step.

“I’ve always wanted to experience playing in the PWR. It’s one of the strongest women’s competitions in the world, and I think it’s the perfect environment to keep learning and growing.

“This will be my first experience playing in a professional club league, so it’s a really exciting opportunity and one I’m looking forward to making the most of.”

Over the years a number of Canadians have worn African Violet. Fancy Bermudez is a current fixture in the team, while Krissy Scurfield, Abby Duguid and Courtney Holtkamp have all represented the club in the past.

Last season Loughborough started the PWR season brightly before a drop-off saw the team place sixth in the league table and seven points adrift of knockout rugby.

In the spring Nathan Smith, the club’s head coach, was an assistant coach for Canada in the 2026 Pacific Four Series as the Women’s Rugby World Cup runners-up placed second in the competition.

Nathan Smith, Loughborough Lightning head coach, said: “Flo is a massively exciting player who has already made a big impact internationally in both formats of the game.

“This will be her first step into the elite-level club game, but it’s one I’m sure she will take in her stride. She has the potential to light up the PWR next season.

“She is a player I have tracked for a couple of years and have been close to signing her previously, so it is pleasing to get her over the line.

“There’s so much to admire about her game already, but I’m confident that once she is within our environment, working with our coaching team and playing squad day in, day out, we will see further growth. I’m excited to see where she can take her game this season.”