USA international makes 'easy choice' to stay with Loughborough

USA Women’s Eagles prop Keia Mae Sagapolu has committed her future to Loughborough Lightning by signing a contract extension in the East Midlands.

The 25-year-old tighthead prop has been a mainstay in Premiership Women’s Rugby so far this season. She has scored two tries in the nine league fixtures she has appeared in.

Off the back of her exploits at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup with the USA, the former Leicester Tigers front-row has brought her hard carrying, strong scrummaging and astute defence to Nathan Smith’s side.

“It’s been such a big push for me since I joined Lightning,” she said. “I really enjoy the girls so much. Nathan [Smith] is a really good coach for me.

“He pushes me when I need to be pushed. Everyone’s attention to detail is so crazy and I think that’s such a big work-on for me. I think I just fit in really well with the girls and they’ve made it like a big home for me, so coming back was an easy choice for me.

“Everyone treats me like family, and I love that the girls are constantly pushing every week.

“I feel like I have become a better player and I have more tools in my toolbox as well. I’m surrounded by very knowledgeable people. I’m bouncing ideas off other people, they’re sharing ideas. They take the time to develop me, so I feel like I have improved my game.

“There’s a lot still to work on this well, I feel like I’m in a good place working on solid foundations, I’m really looking forward to what’s ahead at Lightning.”

Currently sixth in the PWR table, Lightning welcome a resurgent Bristol Bears to Northampton this Sunday afternoon in what promises to be an intriguing clash.

With their top four hopes still intact, albeit having taken a bump with losses to Gloucester Hartpury and Exeter Chiefs in their past two outings, Sagapolu’s re-signing is a cause for celebration.

Already Daisy Hibbert-Jones and Keevy Fitzpatrick have signed multi-year deals to stay in African Violet and the club have promised that there are more new contracts on the way too.

“I am delighted that Mae has signed a new multi-year deal,” said Lightning Head Coach Nathan Smith. “Firstly, she is just a fantastic player to coach, and she is really good for the environment.

“We knew before she came to Lightning, Mae was a quality player but she has made big improvements in her game already and I am excited to see how far she can take her game working with us during the duration of her contract.

“It’s really important we retain players of Mae’s qualities and it is a big statement for us to make to keep her with us for a long period.”