Meet the history makers

Twelve players, six backs and six forwards, have been given the honour of becoming the first cohort of  players to sign professional contracts with the WRU.

A further 15 players who will be on ‘retainer’/semi-professional contracts will be announced in the coming weeks.

Their year-long contracts took effect this week, with players and management – led by head coach Ioan Cunningham – now based at Wales’ National Centre of Excellence at the Vale Resort, alongside Wayne Pivac’s team and other Wales internationals from U20s and Sevens set-ups.

Meet the history makers – THE FRONT FIVE

Gwenllian Pyrs
Position: Prop
Tests: 16 caps
Club: Sale Sharks
First cap: vs Italy in 2017.

Gwenllian was an Urdd/WRU apprentice and WRU hub officer in North Wales schools for three years but has recently started an Access to Health Care course in Coleg Llandrillo with a view to training as a midwife in the future.

She said, “My father has been a big influence on my rugby career so far, pushing me to be the best I can be. I want to do well for my family, friends and every coach who has helped me along the way.

Carys Phillips
Position: Hooker
Tests: 54 caps
Club: Worcester Warriors
First cap: vs Ireland in 2013

Carys has resigned as an adaptive sports coach at Worcester Warriors to take up this opportunity.

She said: “Now we’re here and we have to make everything count. I’ve really enjoyed this week. It’s going to be a massive lifestyle change for us all but if we take the opportunity with both hands I’m sure we will see a big difference in our performance. My whole family are my biggest supporters and they were chuffed to bits when I told them the news.”

Donna Rose
Position: Prop
Tests: 6 caps
Club: Saracens
First cap: vs Scotland in 2021

Donna has given up a job as a carpenter to commit to this opportunity.

She said: “This is beyond a dream. It couldn’t even feature in my dreams before being brought into the Wales set-up a year ago. I couldn’t believe it when I had the phone call.

“But now it’s a reality and I’m going to enjoy every second. I want to do everyone proud and give 100%. I’m still new to the scrum so technically this will be a game-changer along with the physical benefits.”

Natalia John
Position: Second Row
Tests: 22 caps
Club: Bristol Bears
First cap: vs Scotland in 2018

Natalia leaves her post as physics teacher at Ysgol y Gwendraeth: “I’m sad to leave my job but I would tell my students to follow their dreams and now it’s time for me to follow mine.

“I’ve always wanted to be the best player I can be, win a Wales cap and make my family proud.

“This is an incredible opportunity and I’m so excited to see how much I can improve over the next 12 months.”

THE BACK ROW

Alisha Butchers
Position: Flanker
Tests: 32 caps
Club: Bristol Bears
First cap: vs Italy in 2016

Alisha has put a job with Active Carmarthenshire on hold for this opportunity.

“My employers have been so understanding and flexible, allowing me to take unpaid leave for a year to put everything into this. I love that job too and I’m so grateful to have that to fall back on but my whole focus now will be on making myself the best athlete I can be for the World Cup. I’m lucky with my club Bristol too and it’s great club and country are working together to make sure the programmes complement each other.”

Siwan Lillicrap
Position: No 8
Tests: 40 caps
Club: Bristol Bears
First cap: vs Italy in 2016

Siwan has resigned her post as Swansea University Head of Rugby.

“I’ve loved my time at Swansea Uni but I can’t wait to pursue my dream of being a professional rugby player. This is going to change us, our lives and Welsh women’s rugby for this next 12 months and beyond. We are all so excited to start and that just shows what it means to us and for Welsh rugby, it’s massive.

“We are in a professional environment now, there are no excuses for us as players but we are looking forward to that opportunity. The aim is we make strides forward between now and the Six Nations and then we kick on again ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

THE HALF-BACKS

Keira Bevan
Position: Scrum half
Tests: 38 caps
Club: Bristol Bears
First cap: vs Italy in 2015

Keira is a qualified personal trainer.

To be given one of the first full-time contracts means so much. It means we can try and reach our full potential. I’ve been working towards this day for a long time. It’s very special to be one of the first full-time players, I just want to keep improving every day now.”

Ffion Lewis
Position: Scrum half
Tests: 17 caps
Club: Worcester Warriors
First cap: vs South Africa in 2018

Ffion is taking a year’s sabbatical from her post as PE and Welsh teacher at Bishop Hedley School, Merthyr.

“I think it’s every player’s dream to commit 100% to rugby. For all of us to have this opportunity to really push ourselves is huge and show the next generation that dreams can become a reality.”

THE OUTSIDE BACKS

Elinor Snowsill
Position: Fly half
Tests: 61 caps
Club: Bristol Bears
First cap: vs Sweden in 2009

Elinor has left her position at School of Hard Knocks.

“To be rewarded with one of these contracts is hard to describe, certainly the pinnacle of my career. It’s not something I thought would happen for me.

“I’m hoping it will make a huge difference to my game. As a fly-half, skills are vital, you have to be an all-rounder. I’m hoping to work on my individual skills along with fitness and strength too while having time for recovery.”

Hannah Jones
Position: Centre
Tests: 32 caps
Club: Gloucester-Hartpury
First cap: vs Scotland in 2015

Hannah has taken a break from her PGCE studies at Cardiff Met to take up this opportunity.

“It’s an honour to be able to take up this contract, there will be more time for skills, fitness, analysis and recovery. I’m really excited to get going and see how far we can go individually and as a team.”

Lisa Neumann
Position: Winger
Tests: 22 caps
Club: Sale Sharks
First cap: vs Scotland in 2018

Lisa has left her position as a Senior Clinical Trials Data Manager to take up this contract.

“I was shocked to be offered a full-time contract, but chuffed to bits. The biggest thing for me based in Manchester, is that I will be able to train, recover and be the best I can be in the build-up to the Six Nations and World Cup.”

Jasmine Joyce
Position: Winger
Tests: 20 caps
Club: Bristol Bears
First cap: vs France in 2017

Jasmine is completing her PGCE teaching placement with University of Wales Trinity St David this month before joining the programme full-time.

“It’s going to make a huge difference for 12 players to be full-time, it’s just what we need as a squad moving into the Six Nations and then the Rugby World Cup. I can’t wait!”