Wales women's national rugby union team

Last updated

Wales
EmblemThe Prince of Wales's feathers
UnionWelsh Rugby Union
Head coach Ioan Cunningham
Captain Hannah Jones
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First colours
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Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current8 (as of 15 July 2024)
Highest3 (24 August 2009)
First international
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 4–22 England  Flag of England.svg
( Pontypool, Wales; 5 April 1987)
Biggest win
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 0–77 Wales  Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg
( Barcelona, Spain; 17 May 2002)
Biggest defeat
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 0–81 England  Flag of England.svg
( Cardiff, Wales; 4 February 2005)
World Cup
Appearances6 (First in 1991)
Best result4th place, 1994
Top 20 rankings as of 9 September 2024 [1]
RankChange*TeamPoints
1Steady2.svgFlag of England.svg  England 096.90
2Steady2.svgFlag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 089.32
3Steady2.svgFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 089.13
4Steady2.svgFlag of France.svg  France 087.27
5Steady2.svgFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 078.00
6Steady2.svgFlag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 076.78
7Steady2.svgFlag of the United States.svg  United States 074.97
8Increase2.svg1Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 074.26
9Increase2.svg1IRFU flag.svg  Ireland 073.53
10Decrease2.svg2Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 073.49
11Steady2.svgFlag of Japan.svg  Japan 067.83
12Steady2.svgFlag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 065.17
13Steady2.svgFlag of Spain.svg  Spain 065.15
14Steady2.svgFlag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 061.19
15Steady2.svgFlag of Russia.svg  Russia 061.10
16Steady2.svgFlag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 058.98
17Steady2.svgFlag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 058.76
18Steady2.svgFlag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 058.48
19Steady2.svgFlag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 055.23
20Steady2.svgFlag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 052.72
*Change from the previous week

The Wales women's national rugby union team first played in 1987. Wales plays in the Women's Rugby World Cup and the Women's Six Nations Championship.

Contents

History

As far back as the nineteenth century, the Welsh game was a notable for the high levels of female interest. As such, the newly constructed stand at Cardiff Arms Park had to be renovated for "the comfort of the ladies", with another reporter stating that "fully a third" of the spectators at Stradey Park, Llanelli were female. In 1905, an English journalist from the Daily Mail reporting on The Original All Blacks game against Newport RFC at Rodney Parade, reported: "The average woman in Newport, judging from the expert feminine criticisms punctuating Saturday’s play, apparently knows as much of the science of rugby as any man." [2]

While it is still a subject of debate as to when the first female Welsh teams played, women's rugby would gain great prominence during the First World War, as many male players were called into service. One of the most notable matches took place at Cardiff Arms Park on 16 December 1917, when Cardiff Ladies (made up entirely of workers from Hancocks Brewery) beat Newport Ladies 6–0. [3] Maria Eley played full-back for Cardiff and went on to become probably the oldest women's rugby player [4] before she died in Cardiff in 2007 at the age of 106. [5] A photograph of the Cardiff team is believed to be the oldest known image of a women's rugby team and is part of the collection at Cardiff Rugby Museum.

The Cardiff Ladies. Taken on 15 December 1917, it is believed to be the oldest image of a women's rugby team Cardiff ladies xv 1917.jpg
The Cardiff Ladies. Taken on 15 December 1917, it is believed to be the oldest image of a women's rugby team

The first official Wales Women team first played on 5 April 1987 when led by Liza Burgess, they took on an England Women side at Pontypool Park. [6] Prior to 1987, Welsh players were selected to represent Great Britain with the first representative side featuring players from Wales running against France at Richmond Athletic Ground in 1986. Great Britain played as a team on several occasions until 1990, beating Italy in their final match. Wales have played England every year since 1987.

Wales hosted the first Women's Rugby World Cup in Cardiff in 1991 and since then they have participated in a further four of the five tournaments finishing fourth in 1994, their highest ever finish. [7] The IRB adopted the competition in 1998, which was won by the New Zealand Black Ferns.

The Welsh Women's Rugby Union was created in 1994 charged with promoting and governing the development and practice of Women's Rugby in Wales; the other three home unions also took charge of their own administration effectively ending the function of the WRFU in the process. The WWRU also became affiliated to the Welsh Rugby Union at the same time.

The creation of four separate home unions for Women's Rugby in Great Britain also saw the introduction of the Women's Home Nations competition with the first set of internationals taking place in 1995. Wales Women's early years in the tournament saw victories only against Ireland. Wales Women also remain the only touring team from Wales to have won a Test series in South Africa, beating the Bokkies by two Test to nil back in 1994.

From 2004 to 2006 a policy of selecting only players based in Wales resulted in a series of poor results – and failure to qualify for the 2006 World Cup. When the policy was reversed the team immediately recorded their best Six Nations performance, with a victory over France in 2006, wins over Scotland in 2006 & 2007, ending a ten-year drought of wins against their Celtic opponents, and culminating with victory over England in 2009 on their way to a Triple Crown. The National 7s squad lifted the European 7s title in 2006, beating England in the final but narrowly failed to secure a place in the 2009 Rugby World Cup 7s. In 2007 Wales also re-entered the FIRA Championship, using the tournament to give tournament experience to its development team.

In November 2021, the Welsh Rugby Union announced that they would be offering 12-month contracts to Wales Women for the first time in its history. The contracts take effect on January 1, 2022. [8]

Players

Current squad

Ioan Cunningham named the 37 player Welsh squad on 6 March for the 2024 Women's Six Nations Championship. [9] [10] [11]

Player Position Date of birth (age)CapsClub/province
Kelsey Jones Hooker (1997-10-04)4 October 1997 (aged 26)42 Flag of England.svg Gloucester-Hartpury
Carys Phillips Hooker (1992-11-12)12 November 1992 (aged 31)70 Flag of England.svg Harlequins
Molly Reardon Hooker (2003-09-22)22 September 2003 (aged 20)1 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Cardiff Met
Abbey Constable Prop (1991-06-18)18 June 1991 (aged 32)5 Flag of England.svg Gloucester-Hartpury
Gwenllian Pyrs Prop (1997-11-28)28 November 1997 (aged 26)31 Flag of England.svg Bristol Bears
Sisilia Tuipulotu Prop (2003-08-14)14 August 2003 (aged 20)18 Flag of England.svg Gloucester-Hartpury
Jenni Scoble Prop (1993-03-28)28 March 1993 (aged 30)0
Donna Rose Prop (1991-06-05)5 June 1991 (aged 32)20 Flag of England.svg Saracens
Natalia John Second row (1996-02-15)15 February 1996 (aged 28)37 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Brython Thunder
Georgia Evans Second row (1997-01-29)29 January 1997 (aged 27)25 Flag of England.svg Saracens
Gwen Crabb Second row (1999-07-28)28 July 1999 (aged 24)29 Flag of England.svg Gloucester-Hartpury
Abbie Fleming Second row (1996-03-31)31 March 1996 (aged 27)16 Flag of England.svg Harlequins
Alisha Joyce-Butchers Back row (1997-06-14)14 June 1997 (aged 26)45 Flag of England.svg Bristol Bears
Shona Wakley Back row (1991-07-08)8 July 1991 (aged 32)45
Kate Williams Back row (2000-04-05)5 April 2000 (aged 23)11 Flag of England.svg Gloucester-Hartpury
Gwennan Hopkins Back row (2004-11-14)14 November 2004 (aged 19)0
Bryonie King Back row (2003-08-14)14 August 2003 (aged 20)4 Flag of England.svg Bristol Bears
Alex Callender Back row (2000-07-29)29 July 2000 (aged 23)34 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Brython Thunder
Bethan Lewis Back row (1999-02-19)19 February 1999 (aged 25)44 Flag of England.svg Gloucester-Hartpury
Keira Bevan Scrum-half (1997-04-28)28 April 1997 (aged 26)59 Flag of England.svg Bristol Bears
Sian Jones Scrum-half (2004-12-03)3 December 2004 (aged 19)2 Flag of England.svg Sale Sharks
Megan Davies Scrum-half (2002-01-19)19 January 2002 (aged 22)7 Flag of England.svg Bristol Bears
Lleucu George Fly-half (2000-01-12)12 January 2000 (aged 24)19 Flag of England.svg Gloucester-Hartpury
Niamh Terry Fly-half (2000-04-30)30 April 2000 (aged 23)9 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Brython Thunder
Kerin Lake Centre (1990-05-24)24 May 1990 (aged 33)48
Hannah Jones (c) Centre (1996-11-14)14 November 1996 (aged 27)54 Flag of England.svg Gloucester-Hartpury
Mollie Wilkinson Centre (2003-10-24)24 October 2003 (aged 20)0
Carys Cox Centre (1998-11-05)5 November 1998 (aged 25)5 Flag of England.svg Ealing Trailfinders
Lisa Neumann Wing (1993-12-23)23 December 1993 (aged 30)40 Flag of England.svg Harlequins
Jasmine Joyce-Butchers Wing (1995-10-09)9 October 1995 (aged 28)36 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain 7s
Hannah Bluck Wing (1997-04-01)1 April 1997 (aged 26)10 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Brython Thunder
Catherine Richards Wing (2000-10-21)21 October 2000 (aged 23)0 Flag of England.svg Gloucester-Hartpury
Kayleigh Powell Fullback (1999-02-18)18 February 1999 (aged 25)14
Nel Metcalfe Fullback (2004-12-17)17 December 2004 (aged 19)3
Jenny Hesketh Fullback (2002-04-15)15 April 2002 (aged 21)2 Flag of England.svg Bristol Bears
Courtney Keight Fullback (1997-12-27)27 December 1997 (aged 26)11 Flag of England.svg Bristol Bears
Amelia Tutt Fullback (2003-06-02)2 June 2003 (aged 20)1 Flag of England.svg Leicester Tigers

Previous squads

Notable players

Award winners

World Rugby Awards

The following Wales players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2001: [14]

World Rugby Women's 15s Dream Team of the Year
YearForwardsBacksTotal
No.PlayersNo.Players
202115. Jasmine Joyce-Butchers 1

Six Nations Awards

The following Wales players have been recognised in the Women's Six Nations Awards since 2020: [15] [16] [17]

Records

World Cup

Rugby World Cup
YearRoundPositionGPWDLPFPA
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg 1991 Plate quarter-finalsN/A30121839
Flag of Scotland.svg 1994 3rd Place Playoff4th53026396
Flag of the Netherlands.svg 1998 11th Place Playoff11th530218175
Flag of Spain.svg 2002 9th Place Playoff10th420212650
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg 2006 Did not participate
Flag of England.svg 2010 9th Place Playoff9th520391109
Flag of France.svg 2014 7th Place Playoff8th510448147
IRFU flag.svg 2017 7th Place Playoff7th520378143
Flag of New Zealand.svg 2021 Quarter-final410340139
Flag of England.svg 2025 TBD
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2029
Flag of the United States.svg 2033
Total8/94th3614121645798
 Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth placeHome venue

Overall

(Full internationals only)
Correct as of 13 April 2024

Rugby: Wales internationals 1987–
OpponentFirst gamePlayedWonDrawnLostPercentage
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 200260060.00%
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 199114221014.29%
Flag of England.svg  England 19874120394.88%
Flag of France.svg  France 199429402513.79%
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 19982200100.00%
Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 20172200100.00%
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 2017210150.00%
IRFU flag.svg  Ireland 1996311701454.84%
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 199822131859.09%
Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 1994530260.00%
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 1988520340.00%
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 199170070.00%
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 19982200100.00%
Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 200210010.00%
Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 1993362001655.56%
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 2004860275.00%
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 19911140736.36%
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 2007320166.67%
Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1993620433.33%
Summary198724481315133.20%

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References

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  2. Hitt, Carolyn (6 November 2021). "Carolyn Hitt: Wales Women contracts announcement might finally turn despair into hope for Welsh women's rugby". Wales Online. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  3. Davies, D.E. (1975). Cardiff Rugby Club, History and Statistics 1876–1975. Risca: The Starling Press. pp. 70–71. ISBN   0-9504421-0-0.
  4. Rugby is the secret of 106-year-old's longevity, Penarth Times , 23 January 2006
  5. Maria remained a keen player until she married her husband, Hector, and concentrated on bringing up eight children. She attributed her longevity to a love of rugby and an aversion to cigarettes and alcohol. Away from rugby and family duties she chaired the senior citizens club at her native Cogan for 24 years and was still calling bingo until she was 101.
  6. "Historic day for England Women's Rugby". rfu.com. 5 April 2012. Archived from the original on 9 July 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  7. "Women's Rugby World Cup". RugbyFootballHistory.com. p. 1. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  8. Southcombe, Matthew (3 November 2021). "Wales Women to be offered professional contracts for the first time". WalesOnline. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  9. "Cunningham names 37 players for 2024 Six Nations squad - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  10. "WALES RUGBY NAME SQUAD FOR 2024 GUINNESS WOMEN'S SIX NATIONS - Guinness Women's Six Nations". www.sixnationsrugby.com. 13 March 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  11. Graham, Josh (28 March 2024). "Wales Women's Six Nations Squad – Tuipulotu benched". Rugby World. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
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  14. "Awards Roll of Honour - World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
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