Gwenllian Pyrs: No 1 in the prop charts

Gwenllian, who didn’t start playing rugby formally until Nant Conwy started an under 18 girls’ side six years ago, puts her recent success in the Wales front row and her love for rugby down to years of helping out on the North Wales family farm, the support of her dad Eryl and playing rugby in the field with her nine brothers and sisters.

After making her international debut as a replacement against Italy in the 2017 Women’s Six Nations, Pyrs, who is also a full-time rugby hub officer at Ysgol y Moelwyn in Blaenau Ffestiniog and trains and breeds sheepdogs at the family farm near Ysbyty Ifan in Snowdonia, had to wait until the recent autumn international against Ireland in Dublin for her first start. She had her heart set on earning that starting during the Six Nations a year ago but an unfortunate car accident put paid to her progress during that tournament.

However, since that last minute win over Ireland in November, her fitness and outstanding form has helped her retain the prized jersey, and she has no plans to let go of it any time soon, if she can help it.

“It’s definitely worth the wait,” she said. Gwenllian makes the journey down the National Centre of Excellence at least twice a week for training along with weekend camps and matches but she says it all pales into insignificance now that she’s earned that starting spot.

“It makes it all worthwhile. You don’t mind doing the long drives when you know you’re going to put the jersey on at the end of the week. It’s what you’ve worked hard for and training and playing is what you love doing so I’ve definitely got an extra spring in my step since the autumn after being given the opportunity to start a run of games.

“The car accident took its toll on both myself and Bethan Davies who was in the car with me. It happened at the end of January and even when I could start training again, it was hard to work my way into the side.

“This season has been different having had a good build-up to the autumn and then the five matches in November. I certainly feel a part of the side now and I guess that’s showing in my performances.”
That is certainly the view of Wales Women coach and former international prop Chris Horsman.

“Gwenllian has all the attributes of an international athlete. She has a professional attitude to match and her performances this season have not only been outstanding but also show a huge amount of further potential too.”

Gwenllian didn’t take up rugby formally until family club Nant Conwy set up a girls’ under 18 side six years ago. She had played with her siblings on the farm though and always helped her dad on the farm, an upbringing that no doubt helped her strength and general fitness.

“My dad was on hand to take me to Scarlets U18 training and matches every Saturday morning before we had an RGC set-up. Without him and Nant Conwy I certainly wouldn’t be where I am now.”

Dad Eryl, who was one of the founding members of Clwb Rygbi Nant Conwy in 1980, couldn’t be prouder.

“I’m very proud of her. She’s gone through the ranks from Nant to playing for Wales which is quite an achievement. Hopefully some of her upbringing helped along the way from doing tasks at home to playing rugby with her brothers and sisters.”

Nant Conwy has a special place in the life of the whole area, bringing together people from the farming and urban communities.

“Many of us from the area were playing for other clubs and decided to start a rugby club of our own in 1980,” he explained. “It has really knitted together the different social elements of the valley and is so important for the whole community. It’s important for the Welsh language too with most of the coaching done through Welsh although there’s a warm welcome for all.”

In addition to starting under 15 and under 18 girls’ teams six years ago, Nant also host a Female Hub – Ceirw Nant, the popularity of which has surprised even the club volunteers.

“We are trying to keep up to pace with the demand from girls to be part of Nant Conwy,” said the founder of the girls’ section, Nia Wyn Roberts.

“It’s fantastic for them to see a local girl like Gwenllian doing so well and representing the area on the international stage. They can see that there’s a pathway for them now with the regional RGC programme and Wales.”

Rugby has also provided employment opportunities for Gwenllian, first as an Urdd/ WRU apprentice and now as hub officer for Ysgol Moelwyn. “I’m introducing the next generation to rugby and it’s nice that pupils come up to me on a Monday morning talking about our matches. It shows how things have progressed.”

Gwenllian’s passion away from the rugby field is still – and probably always will be – training sheepdogs.

“Rugby is still relatively new for me but I’ve been dog training on the farm with my dad since I was nine years old. It’s where I’m most comfortable and if I’m stressed at all I’ll go out with the dogs to relax.”

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