Scotland fly-half Helen Nelson 'excited' to join new PWR club

Scotland fly-half Helen Nelson has signed for JAECOO Premiership Women’s Rugby runners-up Trailfinders Women after her Loughborough Lightning exit.

The 32-year-old left the East Midlanders after seven years with the African Violet. Nelson made 80 appearances and scored 171 points for Loughborough in that time.

She joins a Trailfinders side bruised from a 52-14 loss to Saracens in the PWR final at the Twickenham Stoop. Nelson will link up with Scotland teammates Rachel Malcolm, Francesca McGhie, Lisa Thomson and Emma Wassell in West London.

Nelson said: “I’m really excited to be joining Trailfinders. The team have gone from strength to strength, and making the final this year was a massive achievement for a relatively new programme.

“I love the way the team play. It’s an exciting brand of rugby across the board – they want to move the ball and attack from everywhere, and they’re brave in the way they defend too. It’s a team with world class players and a coaching staff I’m excited to work with.

“The fans have always been really loud, and clearly passionately support the girls. I’m really excited to experience and be a part of that.”

Nelson has won 80 caps for Scotland in her decade long international career and scored 259 points.

She has represented her country at Women’s Rugby World Cups in 2022 and 2025, and captained Scotland in the latter stages of the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

Signing an experienced operator at fly-half can only strengthen Trailfinders. Nelson’s experience alone could be an invaluable source for Trailfinders, who came unstuck against Saracens a fortnight after they had toppled Gloucester Hartpury in the play-off round.

Barney Maddison, Trailfinders Women head coach, said: “Helen is a fantastic rugby player and will bring a wealth of experience from both international and the PWR here to Trailfinders.

“We have a strong Scottish connection here at Trailfinders so when Helen became available it was a no brainer. I’m really looking forward to seeing Helen add to this group.”