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Make it four Canadian internationals signed for the Loughborough Lightning. Second row Abby Duguid departed for England on Monday to join up with the Premier 15s club. There she will find familiar faces in DaLeaka Menin, Courtney Holtkamp, and Sara Svoboda.
Holtkamp and Svoboda played in the win over Sale this past weekend in their first matches for Loughborough, while Menin is in her second Premier 15s campaign. Duguid could soon find herself partnering Holtkamp at lock. The two have graduated through Canada’s age grade sides together.
Duguid jumped straight from Canada’s u20s to the senior squad in 2018. The Edmonton, Alberta, native played club rugby with the Pirates and was a standout collegiate player with the Lethbridge Pronghorns. She also represented the Prairie Wolf Pack in the Canadian Rugby Championship.
There are now two Duguid locks playing professionally in Europe. Younger brother Tyler is currently on an academy deal with French Top 14 club Montpellier. Another brother – Kaden – may not be far behind as he is part of the Rugby Canada’s development side – the Pacific Pride.
The Loughborough contingent another quartet at Exeter Chiefs – namely Olivia DeMerchant, Emily Tuttosi, McKinley Hunt, and Taylor Black. A ninth Canadian – Paige Farries – is at Worcester Warriors. More are expected to be confirmed by Premier 15s clubs in the coming weeks.
