Malcolm to leave Loughborough Lightning

Rachel Malcolm has had a long association with Loughborough

Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm is to leave Loughborough Lightning.

The flanker is the club's longest-serving player having featured for Loughborough in their first match, in September 2017.

The 33-year-old has played 67 times for Lightning and will make her last appearance in their final match of the Premiership Women's Rugby season, against Ealing Trailfinders at Franklin's Gardens on Friday evening.

"It's been an absolute wild ride. I've loved every second of being a Loughborough Lightning player," said Malcolm.

"I truly walk away from this programme knowing that I've given it every single ounce of my blood sweat and tears that I have available, and I truly feel so excited about the future of the club, and the people within it, and what they have the ability to go and achieve."

Malcolm, who has played 52 times for her country, has been associated with Loughborough since arriving at the university in 2009.

She played hockey before taking up rugby - and spent two years playing for Litchfield before returning to Loughborough when Lightning entered the inaugural season of top-flight women's rugby - then the Premier 15s - in 2017.

In recent weeks she has taken on a player-coach role, assisting head coach Nathan Smith.

"As one of Lightning's original players, she has been a huge part of all the club's successes over the last seven-and-a-half years, and she rightly commands the respect of everyone within our group of players," said Smith.

"She's also achieved an incredible amount on the international stage as a Lightning player.

"Her leadership qualities are well known across women's rugby and it has been a privilege to work alongside her."