It’s been a long time coming for the Pontyclun prop, but Hale finally earned her first Wales cap when coming on as a second half replacement against Ireland at Donnybrook last Saturday in the opening round of the Six Nations.
It may have been her first cap, but Hale is no stranger when it comes to being part of the Wales squad. She suffered heartache in the 2014 World Cup held in France when she was the only member of the Wales squad not to gain any game time during the tournament. Further disappointment followed when she missed out on selection for last year’s Six Nations campaign.
While these sort of setbacks would be a major blow to the solar plexus for most, Hale used the frustration as motivation and has bounced back as a re-modelled prop star for Rhys Edwards’ Six Nations national side.
“It’s hard to explain but I’m absolutely over the moon to get my first cap,” said a leaner and meaner Hale earlier this week at Wales’ Centre of Excellence.
“I’ve worked really hard over the summer on my fitness and my body composition so I’m really chuffed to have made my debut for Wales.”
Despite her World Cup disappointment, the 22-year-old looks back on the tournament with fond memories.
“The World Cup was an awesome experience for me – it may sound strange but it gave me the confidence I needed when I got the chance to go on against Ireland. Sitting on the bench during the World Cup and being so close but not playing, when I got the chance on Saturday I just felt ready so if anything not playing at the World Cup has only benefitted me as a player.
“Obviously not getting on in the World Cup and not making last year’s Six Nations squad really drove me to work on my skills work and on my conditioning.”
With Megan York, Amy Evans and Catrin Edwards vying for starting spots in the front row alongside Hale, she is hoping the competition for places will spur her on in her quest for more caps.
“I come to training with the motivation that I need to step up and the need to get one over the other props in the squad. Having people like Catrin in the squad really helps me – I remember standing next to her in the anthem in the weekend and she turned to me and gave me this big grin and I just thought that to be here next to her was absolutely unforgettable.”
With this afternoon’s clash against Scotland already a ‘must-win’ situation for Wales, Hale has already set herself targets for the future.
“Personally my goal is to improve on my fitness and skills and looking ahead next year is World Cup year and I want to be in contention for a starting spot – I want to give Rhys a headache when it comes to selection – I really want to be pushing hard when it comes to the World Cup.”
More immediate is this afternoon’s clash against Scotland at the Gnoll where she will be hoping to double her cap tally in the second round of Six Nations fixtures – you can’t miss her, she’ll be the one with the beaming smile.
