Scotland squad member Cieron Bell has agreed a move to Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) side Loughborough Lightning ahead of the new season. 

The 22-year-old - who has been capped by Scotland at under-18 and under-20 level - becomes the latest Scot to join the Loughborough ranks. 

She joins having impressed for Edinburgh Rugby, where she scored five tries in as many games during the Celtic Challenge earlier this year.

A senior call-up followed in Scotland’s extended squad for the 2024 Six Nations, and while she remains uncapped, Bell was also included in a Scotland training squad for the autumn tests and WXV 2. 

She is currently in Scotland camp with Lightning team-mates Rachel Malcolm, Helen Nelson, Christine Belisle, Emma Wassell, Anne Young and Elis Martin.

Rachel Malcolm and Emma Wassell will be two of Bell's new team-mates at Loughborough LightningRachel Malcolm and Emma Wassell will be two of Bell's new team-mates at Loughborough Lightning (Image: SNS)

Bell, who came through the ranks at Edinburgh University and graduated with a BSc in Applied Sport Science this summer, is looking forward to the next chapter in her rugby career. 

She said: “The move from playing in BUCS [British Universities and Colleges Sport] rugby in Scotland to living down south with the opportunity to play in the PWR is a huge step for me but is something that I hope will be pivotal in my development. 

“The professional training environment at Lightning and the opportunity to train with a world class back line, with Helena Rowland, Emily Scarratt and Helen Nelson, is an amazing opportunity and was definitely very influential in my decision to come to Lightning. 

“The wealth of knowledge and experience that these players have is something I can’t wait to utilise and learn from to help reach the next level of my career.”

Loughborough Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is looking forward to working with the winger. 

He said: “We’re excited to bring Cieron into the environment. She showed during the Celtic Challenge her try-scoring abilities and we’re looking forward to seeing how much she can develop her game with us.

“Cieron has a huge amount of potential within her game which I am sure we can nurture and develop as she works day after day with our talented backs division.”