Loughborough Lightning legend Rachel Malcom has left the club after eight years.
The back-row is the longest serving player for the club, having played in their first-ever game back in 2017.
The Scotland captain bowed out in the club’s last Premiership Women’s Rugby match of the season on Friday. Loughborough beat Trailfinders 36-34 to send Malcolm off with a win.
Malcolm said of her departure: “It’s been an absolute wild ride. I’ve loved every second of being a Loughborough Lightning player.
“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.”
The star has not yet confirmed where her next club will be. She will now be focused on the Women’s Six Nations, which begins on 22 March, and the Rugby World Cup towards the end of the year with Scotland.
The loss of Malcolm will be huge for Loughborough, who pulled off some upsets this season including a win over Bristol Bears.
What have Loughborough said?
Loughborough’s head coach Nathan Smith said: “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.
“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.”
Loughborough finished the season in sixth place, 14 points outside of the semi-final spots.
The English top-flight will see Gloucester take on Bristol and Harlequins travel to Saracens in the play-off games.
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