Loughborough Lightning have bolstered their front row options with the signing of England Under-20s international Catherine Wells.

Wells progressed through Worcester Warriors’ Centre of Excellence Programme while representing Barkers’ Butts after starting her rugby journey for fellow Coventry-based club, Old Coventrians.

The abrasive ball carrier also played county rugby for Warwickshire before signing senior terms with Warriors in March 2022.

Wells found herself without a club entering the 2023/24 season following the demise of Warriors in October but will restart her career at the elite level of English women’s rugby after agreeing to join Loughborough Lightning.

“We’re really happy to have Catherine on board after what sadly happened at Worcester,” said Lightning head coach Nathan Smith. “Catherine is an England Under-20s loosehead who is comfortable playing tighthead too."

“She fits in with our recruitment strategy, we want young hungry players who want to develop and want to kick on to the next level. We have great competition among our props. We feel over the next six months we can develop and evolve Catherine into a quality Premiership prop.”

Wells, who recently turned 20 years of age, has been training with Lightning for three weeks and was delighted to get her career back on track at the elite level.

“I am so excited to be at a new club and the girls have been amazing with me,” said Wells. “I knew a few of them through playing for England Under-20s so that has really helped."

“What happened at Worcester was horrendous, I had been there a long time and progressed through their Centre of Excellence and into the senior squad. But I am happy to be at Loughborough Lightning and now it is all about proving myself as I want to play Premiership rugby.”

Wells is available for Saturday’s Premiership Women’s Rugby Round 5 trip to Heywood Road to face Sale Sharks, kick-off: 3pm.