The stamps celebrate the 150th anniversaries of the formation of the Rugby Football Union and the first international match between England and Scotland in 1871.
Images shown on the stamps include:
- Women’s Rugby World Cup Final, 2014
- Five Nations Championship, 1970
- Women’s Six Nations Championship, 2015
- Five Nations Championship, 1984
- Women’s Home Nations Championship, 1998
- Five Nations Championship, 1994
- Women’s Six Nations Championship, 2009
- Rugby World Cup Final, 2003
Wales and British & Irish Lions legend JPR Williams on the new Royal Mail postage stamps
Williams, Berry and Spence feature on the stamps alongside several other key rugby figures from both the men’s and women’s game including Jonny Wilkinson, Emily Scarratt, Danielle Waterman, Roy Laidlaw, Kim Littlejohn and Simon Geoghegan.
Berry captained the first Wales Women side to beat England – at Taffs Well in 2009 – and to that season’s Triple Crown. It is that 2009 game which is on the stamp featuring Berry.
Having successful skippered Wales U19, she was first handed the senior Wales captaincy at the 2002 Rugby World Cup in Barcelona aged just 19 and retired from all rugby after the 2010 Rugby World Cup in England.
Former Wales Women’s captain Mellissa Berry features on a series of new Royal Mail stamps
“It’s a huge privilege and honour to be a part of this collection alongside so many amazing players and memorable moments over the last 150 years,” she said.
“This game in particular holds a special place in my heart as not only did I score a try, but we beat England on the way to winning the Triple Crown that year.
“This collection also recognises the growth of the women’s game and the drive to gain parity with our male counterparts.”
It’s a huge privilege and honour to be a part of this collection alongside so many amazing players and memorable moments over the last 150 years
Former full-back Williams – an iconic figure with Wales and the Lions from the 1970’s – features on a stamp looking back on another famous meeting with England.
In this case, it is Wales’ 17-13 win over the Red Rose in the Five Nations Championship of 1970.
The great No 8 Mervyn Davies, Barry John, Williams and Chico Hopkins all scored tries in Wales’ success at Twickenham in a game famous for French referee Robert Calmet having to be replaced by Johnny Johnson of England due to injury.
Former Wales scrum-half Sir Gareth Edwards was also forced off in that match due to injury.
It was the only Test he failed to finish.
Announced today: Exciting new stamps celebrating some of the most iconic Rugby Union games over the years!
Explore the collection: https://t.co/YqRpiwFeaT pic.twitter.com/ohVrVbTkoc
— Royal Mail (@RoyalMail) October 5, 2021
Former Ireland international Spence represented her country 40 times, featured in two Rugby World Cups (2014 and 2017), and was also part of the Women’s Six Nations title winning sides in 2013 and 2015.
She is now based in Wales, is a World Rugby coaching intern with Wales Women and former head coach of Penclawdd men’s side.
The stamp on which she features looks back on Ireland Women’s 73-3 hammering of Scotland in 2015.
Royal Mail worked closely with all four home nations’ governing bodies on the stamp issue.
The full set of eight stamps, available in a presentation pack, retails at £12.40.
The stamps and a range of collectible products are available to pre-order.
Click here to pre order the special rugby stamps.
Former Ireland Women’s international and current Wales Women’s coaching intern Sophie Spence also features on the stamps
