PWR: Loughborough Lightning beat Harlequins 43-33 with Ellie Kildunne and Sadia Kabeya back

England players Ellie Kildon and Sadia Kabia returned to their respective sides as Loughborough Lightning beat Harlequins 43-33 in the Women’s Premiership Rugby Championship.

After traveling to the UAE together, the Red Roses duo were stranded in Dubai last weekend after conflict escalated in the Middle East.

The Women’s Rugby World Cup winners were back in action – on opposite sides – at Northampton’s Franklin Gardens on Friday, with fullback Keldon scoring Queen’s opening try before Jade Kunkel extended their lead.

Flanker Kabia and Loughborough’s other two World Cup winners, Helena Rowland and Lily Ives Campion, started together for the first time since England’s win in September – but it was Beau Westcombe-Evans who stole the show with a hat-trick.

Tries from Lis Maude and Daisy Hibbert-Jones and a quick brace from winger Westcombe-Evans gave the Lightning a 24-14 lead at half-time.

Christine Belisle extended the home side’s lead in the second half, before tries from Freya O’Kane and Sarah Barry gave Harlequins hope.

But Westcombe-Evans completed her hat-trick and Carmela Morale’s try meant Ella Cromack’s late score was just a consolation.

Loughborough’s first win in six matches moved them up two places from second to sixth ahead of the rest of the weekend’s action. Queens remains in fourth place.