World Cup winner latest to re-commit to Loughborough Lightning

Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Helena Rowland is the latest Loughborough Lightning player to sign a multi-year deal at the club.

To date Rowland has made 53 appearances and scored 283 points for the African Violets since she joined the club in 2020. She is the club’s second all-time points scorer behind recently retired Emily Scarratt.

The 26-year-old made her first appearance of the 2025/26 Premiership Women’s Rugby season last weekend against Sale Sharks. In her first club game in 54 weeks she played 65 minutes.

Following the Red Roses’ Women’s Rugby World Cup triumph Rowland has spent an extended period on the sideline after she underwent ankle surgery.

“I can’t wait to be back playing more consistently with the group,” Rowland said. “They’ve played some really good rugby this year, and I can’t wait to be a part of that.

“Initially, a bit of time off post-World Cup probably came at a good time, but I’m definitely raring to go now and can’t wait to pull the shirt back on and get out there on Friday night back at home (against Harlequins).

“Over the last few years, we’ve been building a lot, seeing just how well we performed from the outset this year, and there’s so much potential in the players coming through. We’ve got a lot of U20s, which is really exciting.

“There’s a lot of unfinished business in terms of getting into the top four and really challenging up there. So it’s an exciting prospect to stay and hopefully this year, and in the coming years, we can really challenge that top four and try and make our way into the final.”

Shortly after Rowland arrived in the East Midlands, Rowland made her England debut in the 2020 Women’s Six Nations. To date the versatile back has won 46 caps for her country and has a 100 per cent win rate in Test rugby.

During her time out Rowland resumed her Physiology and Nutrition of Sport and Exercise Masters at Loughborough University.

Fit again, the 26-year-old is looking forward to reigniting her rugby career for club and country.

“I think a big personal goal for me, to be honest, is being injury-free,” Rowland said. “I’ve had a bit of time out post World Cup.

“We’re hoping that’s going to have sorted out a few issues I’ve had over the last few years, and hopefully I can really push on from there and get back to playing the rugby I know I’ve been capable of previously.

“From an international perspective, I’ve achieved a lot, but I really want to break back into that starting team. I’ve spent a lot of time in that 23 shirt, and it’s great to be involved, but ultimately, I want to play as much as I can.

“And at Lightning, it’s about pushing on and trying to make this Lightning side a consistent top-four team, and hopefully we can push for those titles.

“I also need to thank Nathan (Smith, head coach) for sticking by me and believing in me. I haven’t played that much over the last three years, but he’s always made me feel welcome, and never wavered in his trust in me, which I think speaks volumes. Hopefully, I can repay that over the next few years.”

In recent weeks Loughborough Lightning have been making a splash with a spate of re-signings. To date Daisy Hibbert-Jones, Keevy Fitzpatrick, Mae Sagapolu and Meg Davey have all committed their future to the cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens club.

“We often speak about developing players within the programme at Loughborough, but it is important that we also keep world-class players within the programme, and that is what Helena is; world-class,” Nathan Smith said. “She is one of the best players in the world.

“Helena has been moved around the field quite a lot from an England perspective. She is going to lead our attack moving forward, and I am delighted to have her in the programme.

“Helena re-signing for Lightning shows she has got belief in what we are doing and it is a really positive sign that top quality people believe in what we are doing.”

Loughborough are currently struggling in the league sitting second from bottom with three wins and two draws from 11 matches.

They face Harlequins at Cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens in round 14 on Friday 13th March.

Fixture

PWR

Loughborough Lightning

43 - 33

Full-time

Harlequins Women

All Stats and Data