Allianz PWR: Emily Scarratt returns after long injury lay-off to start for Loughborough Lightning against Bristol Bears

England international Emily Scarratt will make her first appearance for more than a year when Loughborough Lightning visit Bristol Bears in the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby on Friday.

Scarratt, 34, underwent neck surgery in January last year and faced a 13-month rehabilitation period.

However the 2014 World Cup winner and 108-time Red Roses international returns when Lightning visit Bristol, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

She will start at inside centre, rather than her usual spot in the No. 13 shirt, and head coach Nathan Smith was delighted to have her available again.

"Scaz coming back is an absolute testament to her character," said Smith.

"I know she is absolutely laser-focused on getting back on the pitch and back to the form she has been in previously in her career."

Scarratt, who was named World Player of the Year in 2019, will be playing under coach Smith for the first time since he joined the club last summer.

"It is big for the group," said Smith.

"We've got a lot of young players who should look up to people like that and rightly so. I think they're really excited to play with someone of that magnitude.

"The Lightning medical team and the RFU medical team have done an exceptional job on her."

Helen Nelson will move to full-back on her 50th Lightning appearance, while Ellen Scantlebury makes her first Allianz PWR start on the wing.

Catherine O’Donnell misses out through injury and is replaced at second row by Hallie Taufoou, while Sara Svoboda takes the injured Emma Wassell’s spot on the bench.

Lightning are fifth in the standings ahead of their trip to Bristol, 10 points behind the Bears having played one game less.

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