I wanted a fresh challenge to re-energise me, reveals Malcolm

JUST as quickly as Rachel Malcolm batted away questions of retirement, she rapidly settled into life with a new team, writes Milly McEvoy of Sportsbeat.

- Milly McEvoy of Sportsbeat.

The 34-year-old left Loughborough Lightning after eight years in African violet, having been part of their very first team in 2017.

Searching for a new challenge, she joined Trailfinders, right, ahead of the 2025-26 Premiership Women's Rugby season and has helped prepare them for a tilt at the top four.

"That was probably one of the biggest reasons that I moved, I wanted a fresh challenge to re-energise me," she said.

"I had only really ever known one thing, and that was Loughborough.

"I have so much that I owe to them in terms of what I achieved in my career, the athlete I have become, the person I have become.

"At this point in my career, I needed something that was going to add energy to what I am about and challenge me a little bit and put me outside of my comfort zone.

"It has been exactly what I wanted it to be. It is definitely a challenge, the standard of players that we have here and the standard of play that we want to achieve, so I know that I have got to be on my best and that is definitely challenging me as a player.