As Wales Women prepare to welcome England to Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday (kick-off 12.30), the squad has released a picture that recognises some of the teams and the rugby families behind those teams that helped put the women on the road towards representing Wales.
The journey to wearing the Wales Women shirt is extremely varied for those competing in this Women’s Six Nations Championship but whatever the pathway, the honour and passion that cones with wearing it is no less.
Whether they joined mixed junior sides at seven or eight, nagged their dads to help set up girls’ teams at their local rugby clubs, or first got their hands on an oval ball at school or University, every squad member has a huge commitment to the Wales jersey and very personal tale to tell.
Some of the players have given an insight into the pathway they have taken on their way to the Wales squad, hear from the likes of Siwan Lillicrap, Cerys Hale, Lauren Smyth, Manon Johnes and Gwenllian Pyrs over the coming week.
Wales Women – first teams:
Front row left to right: Lleucu George (Whitland), Keira Bevan (Pontarddulais), Ffion Lewis (Scarlets U18s), Jasmine Joyce (St David’s, wearing Wales Sevens), Lauren Smyth (Hendy), Carys Phillips (Skewen), Caitlin Lewis (Ysgol Dyffryn Aman), Cara Hope (Bangor, wearing Swansea Uni), Niamh Terry (Hendy)
2nd row: Molly Kelly (Caernarfon), Alex Callender (Llanelli Wanderers), Manon Johnes (CRICC), Hannah Jones (Crynant), Beth Lewis (Carmarthen Quins – wearing Scarlets), Kelsey Jones (Seven Sisters), Hannah Bluck (USW), Jess Kavanagh (Bro Ffestiniog)
3rd row: Alisha Butchers (Bynea), Robyn Wilkins (Pencoed Phoenix), Alecs Donovan (Swansea Ladies), Bethan Davies (Caernarfon), Gwenllian Pyrs (Nant Conwy), Sioned Harries (Aberaeron), Elinor Snowsill (Cardiff Quins, wearing Wales Students), Caryl Thomas (Llandeilo, wearing Bath)
Back row: Gwen Crabb (Hendy), Siwan Lillicrap (Waunarlwydd), Cerys Hale (NHSOB), Lisa Neumann (Haverfordwest, wearing Swansea), Natalia John (Swansea Uni), Alicia McComish (Richmond), Mel Clay (Pontyclun Ladies)
Get behind your Wales Women team this Sunday as Wales take on England at Cardiff Arms Park 12.30pm - Tickets available from Cardiff Blues box office cardiffblues.com/tickets
