England internationals Ellie Kildunne and Sadia Kabeya made their returns for Loughborough Lightning and Harlequins respectively in a high-scoring 43-33 Premiership Women's Rugby victory. The Red Roses duo had been stranded in Dubai last weekend after Middle East conflict escalated, but were back in action at Franklin's Gardens on Friday.

Kildunne opened the scoring for Harlequins before Jade Konkel extended their lead. Lightning's World Cup winners Helena Rowland, Lilli Ives Campion and Kabeya started together for the first time since England's September triumph, but it was Bo Westcombe-Evans who stole the show with a hat-trick. Tries from Lis Maude, Daisy Hibbert-Jones and Westcombe-Evans's quickfire double gave Lightning a 24-14 half-time lead.

Christine Belisle stretched the hosts' lead after the break, with Freya Aucken and Sarah Parry scoring for Harlequins to keep them in contention. Westcombe-Evans completed her hat-trick and Carmela Morrall added another try, with Ella Cromack's late score proving merely a consolation. The victory moved Loughborough up two places from second-bottom to sixth in the table.