The Wales flanker has opened up on her rollercoaster experience of the recent Rugby World Cup and her aims to come back even stronger than before.
Alisha Butchers, named Wales’ Players’ Player of the 2022 Women’s Six Nations, played a key role in Wales’ thrilling 18-15 win in their opening Rugby World Cup match, but the victory was to be Alisha’s only involvement in the competition – she returned home before Round 2 after sustaining a serious knee injury.
But Butchers is buoyant about her rehab journey as she fights to get back to full fitness – and for the future of the game with a number of key pathway initiatives bearing fruit.
“The World Cup was an absolute rollercoaster for me. The whole preparation period was brilliant and playing a part in that opening win over Scotland was brilliant but injuries are part and parcel of sport, I think this set-back is just another part of my journey.
“I’ve had ups and downs and it was devastating to come home from New Zealand after one game. However, it’s a great opportunity for me to get better physically. I’m six weeks post ACL op now and things are going very well. The support I’ve had at the NCE from our physios to S & C staff and the coaches has been second to none. They’ve supported me from my first day of injury up until now and I’m lucky to be able to come in into the Vale full-time to do all my rehab and physiotherapy. Hopefully I’ll be back on the field as soon as possible but for now, I’m not rushing anything, just focusing on my myself physically before I get back on the field.
“Having a full-time contract has made a huge difference in my injury management and hopefully will make a big difference in my recovery time too. I’ve experienced coming back from injury with a full-time job but this time, I haven’t got the stress of having to get back to work as soon as possible, I’ve been able to rest and recover properly and I’ve had all the support I’ve needed with things like nutrition and supplements. I’ve got the best opportunity now to be back performing as soon as possible and that’s all I can ask for really.”
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Alisha has taken some time recently to talk to the Urdd U18 squad before they left for New Zealand recently, and she also paid a visit to the Scarlets U18 squad as they prepare for the Under 18 Regional Championship in the New Year.
She said, “On the back of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, it was fantastic to meet the Urdd U18 squad ahead of their trip. What an opportunity for them to experience another culture and cut their teeth against some of the best players in the world in their age group. They will take that experience with them as they move through the pathway to Wales Under 20 and the senior set-up in the future.
“I played for Scarlets Regional Age Grade teams so it was great to meet the current crop of players and catch up with the coaches. That regional age grade experience was so important for me and gave me a real exposure to the performance end of the game which ultimately helped me step up to international rugby. I can’t wait to watch some of the regional games in the New Year and see some of the exciting talent we have in Wales.
“Having left the recent Rugby World Cup so early, my eyes immediately turned to the next world cup in England in 2025. With the U18s and U20s programmes underway now, there are so many opportunities to develop. We’ll have more strength in depth in three years’ time which is so exciting and Ioan is staying with us too so we have plenty of reasons to be hopeful for the future.
“I can’t wait to be back training with the girls for club and country but I’m definitely taking one step at a time for the time being.”
