The influential prop follows hot on the heels of back row Catrina Nicholas who gained her half century of caps last weekend at Aberavon in the narrow 11-12 defeat to Italy in the opening round of the Six Nations championship.
Since making her debut in 2002, Edwards has always been one of the first names inked on any team sheet when available for selection. Her international career has had two distinct phases, as she had a four year break after winning her first 25 caps.
Now firmly ensconced back in the fold, the powerhouse prop is concentrating more on getting a positive result against firm favourites Ireland than reaching her own personal milestone.
“It will be nice to reach 50 caps for Wales and follow my front row buddy Treacle (fellow prop Jenny Davies who with 61 caps is the most capped player in the squad) and Cat but to be honest I would rather us play really well and come off with a win – it’s all about the team and the girls flippin’ deserve it. We’ve put in a huge amount of work and I still can’t believe we lost last weekend.”
Defending Six Nations championship holders Ireland have made just two changes to the side that demolished Scotland at Ashbourne last Friday night with Niamh Briggs named at full-back and Larissa Muldoon coming in at scrum-half.
“That’s a really strong Ireland squad but we have just got to go out there and show what we can do,” said the PE teacher.
“The squad environment is the best it has been for a long time. We’ve also got competition for places throughout the squad so everyone knows they could be out if they don’t play their best. It’s important we get some positive results in the Six Nations as we want to go in to the World Cup with some momentum.”
Edwards points out her first game against England and the defeat to New Zealand in the last World Cup as two of her career highlights so far.
“I always remember the game against New Zealand as you expect so much from them. We don’t get the opportunity to play them very often so to finally get that chance was great. I made the break that led to Caryl James scoring a try.”
Wales head coach Rhys Edwards will be pleased to hear that his key player has no intentions of calling it quits once the 2014 World Cup is over.
“When it’s time to call it a day, I will know,” she says. “I don’t want to set a date and play to that – I just want to keep going as long as I can as I really enjoy the competitive nature of rugby at international level.”
