England Under-18s forward Haineala Lutui signs for Loughborough Lightning alongside Scotland wing Cieron Bell

Loughborough Lightning have swooped to sign England Under-18s forward Haineala Lutui

The New Zealand-born No 8, who turns 18 today (8 August), started her rugby journey at Worcester Rugby Club Under-13s and represented North Midlands at Under-15s level.

Haineala progressed to play for the Worcester Warriors Under-18s Centre of Excellence and in her second year represented England U18s.

Alongside her rugby career, she has applied for a Sports Psychology course at Loughborough University and is awaiting her A-level results from RGS Worcester, which are due next week.

“⁠⁠I chose Lightning because the opportunity to study at a top university whilst also playing at a high level rugby is amazing,” she said.

“The facilities at Loughborough and coaching are top standard, which made it even easier to chose them.

“Everyone has been very welcoming and lovely. I’ve been injured since I joined so haven’t been involved in many training sessions as I’ve been doing rehab. However, the support I’ve had from the physio and coaches has been so helpful.”

Lutui is familiar surname in Midlands rugby after Haineala’s father, Aleki, played 181 times for Worcester Warriors and featured in three Rugby World Cups for Tonga.

“It is a massive coup for us to sign Haineala and we are delighted to have someone with her personality and potential in our environment,” said Lightning head coach Nathan Smith. 

“She was one of the most sought-after young players in English rugby and we’re delighted to get her on board to continue her rugby journey with us.”

Alongside Lutui, Lightning made Scottish winger Cieron Bell their sixth new summer signing.

The 22-year-old joins from Edinburgh Rugby where she scored five tries in as many games during last season’s Celtic Challenge.

Her finishing qualities have also been recognised by her country, achieving caps at both Under-18 and Under-20 levels.

A senior call up followed in Scotland’s extended squad for the 2024 Six Nations, and she is currently away in camp with Lightning teammates Rachel Malcolm, Helen Nelson, Christine Belisle, Emma Wassell, Anne Young and Elis Martin.

Bell played BUCS rugby for Edinburgh University and graduated with a BSc in Applied Sport Science this summer.

“The move from playing in BUCS rugby in Scotland to living down south with the opportunity to play in the PWR is a huge step for me but is something that I hope will be pivotal in my development,” said Bell.

“The professional training environment at Lightning and the opportunity to train with a world class back line, with Helena Rowland, Emily Scarratt and Helen Nelson, is an amazing opportunity and was definitely very influential in my decision to come to Lightning.

“The wealth of knowledge and experience that these players have is something I can’t wait to utilise and learn from to help reach the next level of my career.”

“We’re excited to bring Cieron into the environment here at Loughborough,” said Smith. “She showed during the Celtic Challenge her tryscoring abilities and we’re looking forward to seeing how much she can develop her game with us.

“Cieron has a huge amount of potential within her game which I am sure we can nurture and develop as she works day after day with our talented backs division.”

Lightning have also secured Red Roses prospect Grace Clifford on a multi-year extended contract.

The tighthead prop joined Lightning in 2022 from Harlequins, making a try-scoring debut against Wasps in September 2022.

Having shone for England Under-20s, Clifford earned a Red Roses transitional contract in 2023 and has gone on to mark 19 Lightning appearances, scoring two tries.

Image: RFU Collection via JMP UK/Ketan Shah

Loughborough Lightning season tickets for the 2024/25 Premiership Women’s Rugby season are available now priced from just £40* adults and £20* children. For more information, please click HERE.