FRANCESCA GOLDTHORP RETURNS TO LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING

Dual code international Fran Goldthorp has returned to Loughborough Lighting after spending two seasons playing Women’s National Rugby League in Australia.

Goldthorp made 20 appearances for Lightning in her first spell at the club between March 2021 and March 2023, scoring seven tries as a fullback, winger and centre.

She gained honours for England Under-20s in rugby union, and has also represented her country at senior level in rugby league on eight occasions, scoring seven tries.

The 21-year-old has amassed 44 appearances for Leeds Rhinos after making her debut aged 16 back in 2019. Goldthorp would score a remarkable 45 tries along the way to winning two Super League titles and appeared in the 2022 Rugby League World Cup for England having made her debut a year previously against Wales.

The Leeds native signed a two-year contract with the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL in 2023, winning the league’s Rookie of the Year award and averaging 144 running metres per game.

During the NRL off season, Goldthorp has returned to familiar territory to resume her rugby union career, teaming up with the squad this week as they prepare for the Premiership Women’s Rugby Round 2 trip to Trailfinders Women on Sunday (13 October).

“I’m really excited to be back with Lightning after a few years away,” she said. “It was at Loughborough where my rugby union journey started and I am really looking forward to working hard with the team and seeing what we can achieve together this season.

“It is clear to me that Lightning have made some incredible progress in the last 12 to 18 months. You’ve only got to look at the number of internationals they currently have away in WXV to see this is a brilliant environment to develop your game and take it onto the next level.

“I’m also looking forward to be back playing at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens. I got a taste of that in my first spell and it’s great now that every home match is staged at such a fantastic venue.”

“I want to give my all to contribute to the team on and off the field to achieve our goals in what is a really exciting year ahead for women’s rugby, with a fiercely competitive PWR season being followed by the 2025 Six Nations and a home World Cup.”

“Fran fits the recruitment strategy with high potential and high character,” said Lightning head coach Nathan Smith.

“Since Chloe Rollie left the club, we are lacking a natural fullback with experience in the squad so she balances the squad out quite nicely.

“Fran seems exactly what our sort of environment needs to grow. She is abrasive and she is not afraid to speak her mind and that is what I want. I want tough people and she certainly is that.

“I’ve seen it work in terms of the rugby league crossover, it is good that she has played rugby union before, it’s not like it’s her first hit out. The women’s NRL is arguably the best women’s rugby competition in the world. For her to be playing week in, week out in that and performing well, she is a world-class rugby league player.

“Can that now transfer into playing into the best women’s rugby union league in the world? I am confident that it can.”

Photo credit: Claire Jones/Redhatphoto.com