Scotland international Emma Wassell has extended her stay with Loughborough Lightning by signing a new deal with the club. 

The lock made the move to Lougborough in 2022 and made her debut against Sale Sharks and has gone on to make 28 appearances for them, scoring three tries in that time too. 

Lightning side sit fifth in the PWR and they take on second-placed Saracens this weekend. 

She's the third Scotland player to sign a new contract with the club following team-mates Rachel Malcolm and Christine Belisle. 

She's named Nathan Smith as a key reason as to why she has stuck around and the 29-year-old is excited to keep pushing herself forward for club and country. 

Scotland Rugby News: Emma Wassell

She said: “The big thing for me is, in terms of deciding where I was going to play my club rugby, was how am I going to get the best out of me?

"Obviously as a player but as a leader, how many different parts in a game can I improve on and how can I add value to a club?

“In previous years, Sarah Hunter was a player/coach at Lightning and was a big reason and I felt like I learned a lot from her.

"I enjoyed the set-up and loved the players, but Nathan coming in as well, he will push you as an individual and as a player.

“I've really liked his [Nathan Smith] approach to a lot of things, he challenges you, asks questions and I would say I have learned a lot.

“I think no matter how old you are, how many years you have played, being able to keep on continuously learn or push yourself to make yourself a wee bit uncomfortable, and that is to play the best rugby for Lightning but also internationally, it is hugely important that I can come back and I feel like I am still improving.”