Leicester Tigers seek first win of season against Loughborough in final derby

Leicester Tigers will host Loughborough Lightning at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Sunday in their final match of the 2025/26 Premiership Women’s Rugby season, with the East Midlands club still searching for a first victory after 15 games.

Rooted to the bottom of the nine-team table with two points, Leicester’s only reward this season has come in the form of a try-scoring bonus point — earned last weekend despite a 50-29 defeat to Harlequins. That narrow consolation has done little to shift their position, but Director of Women’s Rugby Fraser Goatcher believes the performance offered genuine encouragement heading into the derby.

“It’s our last chance to go and get that elusive win we’ve been going after this season but I’m well aware of the journey we’re on and where we’re trying to get to,” Goatcher said. “As long as we have that all-round performance that we had in spells against Harlequins a bit more regularly, I think we’ll be pretty happy. Something that we always bring is that physicality and that fight, and I’m sure it will be pretty tasty out there on the pitch on Sunday.”

The fixture carries added edge beyond the league table. Loughborough Lightning are based just 25 minutes from Leicester and are affiliated with Northampton Saints, historically one of Leicester Tigers’ fiercest rivals in the men’s game. When the sides met earlier in the season at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, Leicester lost 50-15, though Goatcher pointed to the spirit his side showed that day as a marker for what Sunday’s crowd can expect.

“When we went to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens earlier on in the season the result didn’t go our way but I think we showed a hell of a lot of that fight and the girls really bought into that derby day atmosphere,” he said.

Despite the difficult season, the club has signalled a clear intent to build. Leicester have confirmed an enhanced strategy for growth alongside additional investment in the women’s programme, and recruitment is already under way. Australia international Tabua Tuinakauvadra and capped France prop Coco Lindelauf are both set to join the club, arrivals that point to a more ambitious footing for next season.

For now, though, the focus is singular — ending a winless campaign on the right note against the team from down the road.