National squad backs – full-back Lee Byrne, wings Morgan Stoddart, George North and Leigh Halfpenny, centres Andrew Bishop, Jamie Roberts and Scott Williams and fly-half centurion Stephen Jones – met Miss Dwyer and five of her fellow contestants in between weights and conditioning sessions at the WRU National Centre of Excellence at the Vale Resort Hensol.
The Miss Wales finals are held this Saturday, with the winner charged with the task of a year’s fundraising on behalf of the charity for children with terminal cancer, amongst other duties.
Miss Dwyer, who is aged 19 and from Powys, contacted the squad with the idea of a photocall to help raise awareness of the charity and brought a selection of her fellow contestants to meet the players.
Also pictured with the Wales stars are Miss Wales 2011 contestants Laura Brookman, 21 from Ebbw Vale, Jessica Crowley, 20 from Merthyr Tydfil, Heather Hopkins, 17 from Maesteg, Jessica Fox, 19 from Swansea, and Stephanie Lubbock, 24 from Bridgend.
“I was over the moon when the squad agreed to meet us and we all had a really good time with the photo shoot,” said Laura. “They didn’t have long because they are right in the middle of an intense period of training, but it was great of them to meet us and help us show support for the Joshua Foundation.
“It’s such a deserving charity and we are really grateful for all the players for taking the time to meet us and help out with the picture.
“I’d also like to wish the players all the very best of luck for New Zealand, come on Wales!”
The 2011 Miss Wales competition takes place this Saturday in Cardiff but there is also a public vote, currently led by Laura Dwyer, which closes on Friday, with further details available online.
“We are very pleased to be able to support such a worthwhile charity and it was great to meet Laura and her fellow contestants,” said Wales centre Jamie Roberts.
“Whoever wins the contest on Saturday will have a life-changing year ahead of them and we would like to wish them all the very best of luck.
“We have our own world competition just around the corner and will be looking for them to return the favour and I’m sure they will be rooting for us in New Zealand.”
Wales face England twice this August before a final match on home soil at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday 20 August, they then embark on their 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign in New Zealand
