International stars return for PWR opener

Harlequins Women will welcome back a host of international stars for Friday's PWR opener against Loughborough Lightning (KO 19:30, live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport App).

After a hugely successful PWR Cup block, Head Coach Ross Chisholm has been able to welcome back a number of players who were in the thick of the action at the Rugby World Cup last month.

In the front-row, Silvia Turani returns for her first appearance of the season, alongside Connie Powell and Lizzie Hanlon, who both excelled in the PWR Cup campaign.

Fi McIntosh continues in the second-row and is joined by returning Welsh international Abbie Fleming.

The back-row sees Nicole Wythe start at blindside flanker, with Sara Svoboda and captain Jade Konkel joining her, in what is a hugely powerful trio of loose forwards.

World Cup winner Lucy Packer returns to start at scrum-half, partnering Lagi Tuima at half-back, as Tuima moves from inside centre to the 10 jersey.

Sarah Parry is joined by Clàudia Peña in the centres, as two young stars of the game look to strike up an entertaining partnership in midfield.

An electric back three sees Beth Wilcock continue on the left wing, with Lauren Torley moving to the right wing, with World Champion Ellie Kildunne returning to the side at fullback.

There is plenty of impact off the bench too.

Carys Phillips and Hannah Sims are joined by Laura Delgado as the front-row cover, with Tyla Shirley and Lauren Brooks completing the reinforcements for the pack.

Lucy Burgess, Ella Cromack and Katie Shiallker will provide the impact in the backs too, after all three impressed throughout the PWR Cup campaign.

Head Coach, Ross Chisholm said: "It's been fantastic to have our whole squad back together over the last few weeks. After a series of hugely impressive performances in the Cup, we have given ourselves a really strong foundation to build from into the league season. It's always special playing at The Stoop and I know that the squad are hugely excited to get the league campaign started."

HARLEQUINS WOMEN VS LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING

• Friday 24 October (19:30)

• Twickenham Stoop

• Live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport App

STARTING XV:

15. Ellie Kildunne (48)

14. Lauren Torley (25)

13. Claudia Pena (13)

12. Sarah Parry (22)

11. Beth Wilcock (55)

10. Lagi Tuima (98)

9. Lucy Packer (92)

1. Silvia Turani (30)

2. Connie Powell (32)

3. Lizzie Hanlon (23)

4. Fi McIntosh (5)

5. Abbie Fleming (30)

6. Nicole Wythe (31)

7. Sara Svoboda (7)

8. Jade Konkel (58)

IMPACT PLAYERS:

16. Carys Phillips (24)

17. Hannah Sims (23)

18. Laura Delgado (15)

19. Tyla Shirley (17)

20. Lauren Brooks (54)

21. Lucy Burgess (5)

22. Ella Cromack (35)

23. Katie Shillaker (22)

Unavailable for selection: Freya Aucken, Emily Blackburn, Sarah Bonar, Tess Braunerova, Alex Callender, Grace Crompton, Hannah Duffy, Amelia Kolev, Danelle Lochner, Izzy Mayhew, Lisa Neumann, Orla Proctor, Aoife Wafer, Louisa Ward