She's Taylor-made for coaching team role at Lightning

LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning has announced Rachel Taylor will join the club's coaching team ahead of the 2025/26 Premiership Women's Rugby season.

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The 41-year-old arrives with a wealth of experience, having spent four years with Sale Sharks, rising to the role of head coach.

She was replaced at Sale by Tom Hudson, the former head coach of Leicester Tigers Women.

Taylor made history by becoming the first female coach of a national league Welsh rugby team when she took over Colwyn Bay in 2018 aged only 35 and also was the first professional national female coach with the Welsh Rugby Union.

Born in Bangor, her club playing career was split between Newport Gwent Dragons and Bristol.

Her senior Wales international debut came in 2007 and the second row/back row eventually bowed out with 67 caps.

Also on Taylor's coaching CV is a spell with Barbarian Women, having previously captained them in her playing days.

"I am really excited for this opportunity with Loughborough Lightning and really honing in on my coaching craft," said Taylor.

"I tried my hand at being a head coach, which I thoroughly enjoyed, but I still feel I have a lot to explore and develop as a coach.