Robyn leading the way

Wilkins’ father Gwilym enjoyed a distinguished career on the wing with the likes of Bridgend and Aberavon and earned an international cap against Tonga back in 1994 alongside the likes of Neil Jenkins and Gareth Llewellyn.

Robyn was only 18 when she was thrust into the Test spotlight, but now she believes she is ready to shoulder more responsibility to help Wales Women move forward by bouncing back from their opening Women’s Six Nations defeat to Italy.

She said: “My dad played rugby, I was really fortunate that there were teams around that allowed me to play with and against boys. I played from a young age, starting out at about seven or eight in primary school and at Pyle RFC. I watched dad play rugby and I guess I wanted to follow in his footsteps.

“I got my first cap at 18, it happened so quickly. I can still remember that first cap. It’s my seventh Six Nations now, but that first cap still feels like yesterday, it’s gone really quick. I’ve really enjoyed my time but at my age now, I think I’ve matured and I’m taking more of a leadership role this year. Hopefully I can lead by example.”

Wilkins was part of the Wales side who fell short against last season’s runners-up in their Six Nations opener at Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday. They have the chance to get their campaign back on track when they travel to Energia Park in Donnybrook to take on Ireland on Sunday before France come to the Welsh capital in round three.

And Wilkins, who balances international rugby with teaching science at Bassaleg School, will be tapping into her father’s expertise again ahead of the crunch encounters.

“My dad tries to step away a little bit, but we have phone calls before a game and I usually ring home to talk to both of my parents,” she said.

“It’s really useful to be able to have a debrief after the game, dad has a lot of knowledge coming from a rugby background.

“But just from growing up, they were the ones taking me to games and training sessions so I wouldn’t be where I am without their support through those years.”

As part of Wales’ ‘Sisters In Arms’ message, Wilkins is also determined to help the next generation of female stars emerge, and she is giving the girls at Bassaleg Comprehensive School an opportunity to develop by starting a team to compete in the forthcoming Urdd WRU 7s tournament.

“Bassaleg have been great with rugby,” she added. “I’m so lucky to have such a supportive head teacher and science department who allow me to have time off if necessary. It takes the pressure off when I need to miss things like meetings.

“We’re looking to develop and get a team in the Urdd tournament this year, and then if we get numbers at training we may look to expand and get games as well. I’m sure the girls will be keen for that and it’s something we can do in the future.”

Go to wru.wales/waleswomen for tickets for Wales Women’s next home games – against France on Sunday 23 February and Scotland on Sunday 15 March.