Loughborough announce impending exodus of 11 Lightning players

Loughborough Lightning have confirmed that 11 players will leave the East Midlands club at the end of the 2025/26 season.

This includes the exits of homegrown players Kendall Waubdy, Kendall Waudby, while Isla Curphey and Lia Green, while senior internationals Bo Westcombe-Evans [England], Christine Belisle, Becky Boyd, Anne Young, Leia Brebner-Holden, Elis Martin, Lucia Scott [all Scotland] and Paige Stathopoulos [USA].

Last week the Premiership Women’s Rugby club also confirmed that Scotland fly-half Helen Nelson was leaving the club, with yesterday’s announcement meaning that seven Scotland players were leaving cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens.

Lightning head coach Nathan Smith cited recent changes to Scotland’s centralised contracts as a reason for the departure of players from north of the border.

“It’s always a sad time of the year when we have to say goodbye to players from the Lightning environment,” Smith said.

“That is especially the case this year, as the changes to the centrally-contracted Scotland internationals making it harder for those players to continue to play their rugby away from the Celtic Challenge, and I fully understand and respect the decision they have had to make.

“We thank them all for their contribution to Loughborough Lightning and wish them all the best for the future.”

Westcombe-Evans’ impending exit will be a concerning one for Loughborough. Since the 23-year-old’s return from an ACL injury at the start of the season, the wing has scored 10 tries in 15 matches and earned a recall to the senior England setup for the Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

All players will be involved in the club’s annual leavers’ ceremony, which will take place after their last home game of the season this Sunday against Saracens.

“While we are losing some players who have made significant appearances for Lightning, I am pleased with the number of players we have already locked in for next season, including our three World Cup winning Red Roses stars, and I look forward to announcing more re-signings and new signings too as we build towards the 2026/27 campaign,” Smith said.

“As a club, we are also working hard to secure players on multi-year deals, moving away from the one-year contract cycle which currently exists for many of our squad.

“This will help us to lay down firmer foundations from which we can build success in the coming years, especially when you consider we have the country’s best women’s university team, brimming with exciting young players who are ready to stake their claim to compete for Premiership Women‘s Rugby minutes.”