Latest news with #GwenllianPyrs
Yahoo
14-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wales' sisters doing it for themselves (and Nant)
Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Scotland v Wales Venue: Salford Community Stadium Date: Saturday, 23 August Kick-off: 14:45 BST Coverage: Live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Online and BBC Sounds You will be hard pushed to find a prouder rugby club in Wales right now than Nant Conwy. The north Wales club has produced not just one but two sets of sisters for Wales women's 2025 Rugby World Cup squad. Nel and Branwen Metcalfe have been named alongside Gwenllian and Alaw Pyrs in Sean Lynn's 32-player group which will kick-off their campaign against Scotland later this month. And while the Pyrs sisters are getting used to packing down together, it will be a new experience for the Metcalfes, with Wales Under-20s captain Branwen yet to make her senior debut. Callender in Wales' World Cup squad despite injury Callender raring to go for Wales after World Cup injury scare "I'm lost for words to be honest, everything that's happened in the past year has been a whirlwind," said Branwen. "I haven't trained much with the squad yet, but it's been really great coming into this environment, I'm learning a lot as I go. "Everyone is really nice and it's nice to come in as a young player with all these experienced players." Asked who she looks up to in the camp, Branwen said: "Definitely Al Cal [Alex Callender] and Kate Williams, they're just role models, the way they play, the way they talk, I just want to be like them. "Hopefully I can make a breakthrough at some point, I'm just trying to learn at this time." Nel said she was delighted for her not so little sister. "The family is buzzing," she said. "People have asked 'how do you feel?'. I couldn't be prouder. I've seen how hard she has worked, she deserves this. "I would say I do look out for her [in camp] and check she's ok, but she can handle herself, everyone has been pretty welcoming." Women's Rugby World Cup fixtures and BBC coverage 2025-26 Celtic Challenge to feature knockout rugby Humble beginnings Wales is no stranger to having siblings run out together, Horgan twins Claire and Louise both won international honours against France in 2008. But two sets of sisters is something quite special, even more so when they all come from the same grassroots club. Gwenllian, Alaw, Nel and Branwen all got their start at Nant Conwy, a community rugby club nestled between the villages of Llanrwst and Trefriw. "They are always so supportive of us whatever we do," said Nel. "It's just everything about Nant, it's not just a club, it's the whole community, everyone knows each other." That sense of belonging is underlined by Branwen: "Growing up we were probably there every day," the younger Metcalfe adds. "The club has been such a big part of, not just our journey, but our whole family. It's really nice that we can do this together." The siblings will find out if they will play alongside each other when Wales announces its team to face Scotland next Thursday. Nant Conwy RFC chairman Marc Jones said it was with a "heartfelt sincerity" that they celebrated the success of their former players. "Congratulations to the girls, their achievements are down to their total dedication and commitment," he said. "Their success is intrinsically linked to their coaches, staff and our whole club ethos. "Being part of the Nant Conwy community, it was only a matter of time that major representation was achieved. They will through their achievements, I'm sure, be a catalyst for all of our players moving forward." Tudor Roberts leads the girls section, Ceirw Nant, and he too is "immensely proud" of the girls for making the Wales squad from "humble beginnings". "It certainly spurs the young ones on, and shows that the pathway is there and through hard work and commitment it is possible," he said. "We wish them all the best of luck and will be cheering them on for sure. "The standard of girls rugby in north Wales has bloomed, with quality games being played weekly. It's only a matter of time before more girls from north Wales start putting their hand up for selection."
BBC News
14-08-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales' sisters doing it for themselves (and Nant)
Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Scotland v WalesVenue: Salford Community Stadium Date: Saturday, 23 August Kick-off: 14:45 BSTCoverage: Live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Online and BBC Sounds You will be hard pushed to find a prouder rugby club in Wales right now than Nant north Wales club has produced not just one but two sets of sisters for Wales women's 2025 Rugby World Cup and Branwen Metcalfe have been named alongside Gwenllian and Alaw Pyrs in Sean Lynn's 32-player group which will kick-off their campaign against Scotland later this while the Pyrs sisters are getting used to packing down together, it will be a new experience for the Metcalfes, with Wales Under-20s captain Branwen yet to make her senior debut. "I'm lost for words to be honest, everything that's happened in the past year has been a whirlwind," said Branwen."I haven't trained much with the squad yet, but it's been really great coming into this environment, I'm learning a lot as I go."Everyone is really nice and it's nice to come in as a young player with all these experienced players."Asked who she looks up to in the camp, Branwen said: "Definitely Al Cal [Alex Callender] and Kate Williams, they're just role models, the way they play, the way they talk, I just want to be like them."Hopefully I can make a breakthrough at some point, I'm just trying to learn at this time."Nel said she was delighted for her not so little sister."The family is buzzing," she said."People have asked 'how do you feel?'. I couldn't be prouder. I've seen how hard she has worked, she deserves this."I would say I do look out for her [in camp] and check she's ok, but she can handle herself, everyone has been pretty welcoming." Humble beginnings Wales is no stranger to having siblings run out together, Horgan twins Claire and Louise both won international honours against France in two sets of sisters is something quite special, even more so when they all come from the same grassroots Alaw, Nel and Branwen all got their start at Nant Conwy, a community rugby club nestled between the villages of Llanrwst and Trefriw."They are always so supportive of us whatever we do," said Nel."It's just everything about Nant, it's not just a club, it's the whole community, everyone knows each other."That sense of belonging is underlined by Branwen: "Growing up we were probably there every day," the younger Metcalfe adds."The club has been such a big part of, not just our journey, but our whole family. It's really nice that we can do this together."The siblings will find out if they will play alongside each other when Wales announces its team to face Scotland next Thursday. Nant Conwy RFC chairman Marc Jones said it was with a "heartfelt sincerity" that they celebrated the success of their former players."Congratulations to the girls, their achievements are down to their total dedication and commitment," he said."Their success is intrinsically linked to their coaches, staff and our whole club ethos. "Being part of the Nant Conwy community, it was only a matter of time that major representation was achieved. They will through their achievements, I'm sure, be a catalyst for all of our players moving forward."Tudor Roberts leads the girls section, Ceirw Nant, and he too is "immensely proud" of the girls for making the Wales squad from "humble beginnings". "It certainly spurs the young ones on, and shows that the pathway is there and through hard work and commitment it is possible," he said. "We wish them all the best of luck and will be cheering them on for sure."The standard of girls rugby in north Wales has bloomed, with quality games being played weekly. It's only a matter of time before more girls from north Wales start putting their hand up for selection."
ITV News
11-08-2025
- Sport
- ITV News
Wales squad announced for Women's Rugby World Cup
Wales head coach Sean Lynn has named the 32 players who will compete at the Women's Rugby World Cup in England, which kicks off later this month. Wales co-captain Alex Callender has been named in the squad despite suffering an ankle injury earlier this month while on tour in Australia. The squad will be co-captained by fellow back-rower Kate Williams, with the pair sharing the armband on the recent two-Test trip Down Under. All 30 players who made history with a first Wales Test match win against the Wallaroos in Australia have been selected, along with centre Kerin Lake and Wales U20s captain Branwen Metcalfe - the only uncapped player in the squad. Wales will kick off their World Cup campaign against Scotland in Manchester on 23 August, before their other Pool B fixtures see them take on Canada - ranked second in the world - on 30 August, also in Manchester, before a meeting with Fiji at Exeter's Sandy Park a week later, where they will face former Wales boss Ioan Cunningham in his new role as Fiji head coach. Metcalfe, 18, is the younger sister of full-back Nel Metcalfe and one of two pairs of sisters, along with prop Gwenllian Pyrs and lock Alaw Pyrs, who have been selected in the squad. Wales hooker and former skipper Carys Phillips is set to play in her fourth World Cup, while it will be a third tournament outing for Hannah Jones, Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, Lleucu George, Kelsey Jones, Keira Bevan and Gwenllian Pyrs The top two teams in each of the four World Cup pools will progress to the knock-out stages, with the final hosted at Twickenham on 27 September. Wales boss Lynn said: 'These are the 32 players who have earned the privilege and honour to represent Wales at what will be the biggest and best women's Rugby World Cup. 'The Wales squad selected is a mix of experience and exciting young talent that have all proved they deserve the opportunity to play on the biggest stage of a World Cup. 'We have hooker Carys Phillips, who will be playing at her fourth World Cup, and uncapped Branwen Metcalfe, who impressed us all with her performances for Wales U20s in the recent Six Nations tournament. 'As coaches, there were some tough calls on selection but this is the strongest squad we could have selected and we are looking forward to the challenge ahead of us. 'For players, coaches and staff, this promises to be the pinnacle of all our careers and one that we are relishing. We know we are representing a proud rugby nation and we are determined to do the nation proud.' Wales squad for Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Forwards: Katherine Baverstock (Leicester Tigers), Maisie Davies (Bristol Bears), Gwenllian Pyrs (Sale Sharks), Donna Rose (Saracens), Jenni Scoble (Gwalia Lightning), Sisilia Tuipulotu (Gloucester/Hartpury), Kelsey Jones (Gloucester/Hartpury), Carys Phillips (Harlequins), Molly Reardon (Gwalia Lightning), Alex Callender (co-captain, Harlequins), Gwen Crabb (Gloucester/Hartpury), Georgia Evans (Saracens), Abbie Fleming (Harlequins), Bryonie King (Gwalia Lightning), Bethan Lewis (Gloucester/Hartpury), Alaw Pyrs (Gloucester/Hartpury), Tilly Vucaj (Gwalia Lightning), Kate Williams (co-captain Gloucester/Hartpury), Branwen Metcalfe (Hartpury College). Backs: Keira Bevan (Bristol Bears), Meg Davies (Gloucester/Hartpury), Seren Lockwood (Gloucester/Hartpury), Lleucu George (Gloucester/Hartpury), Kayleigh Powell (Harlequins), Carys Cox (Ealing Trailfinders), Hannah Dallavalle (Gloucester/Hartpury), Kerin Lake (Gwalia Lightning), Courtney Keight (Sale Sharks), Jasmine Joyce (Bristol Bears), Nel Metcalfe (Gloucester/Hartpury), Lisa Neumann (Harlequins), Catherine Richards (Gwalia Lightning).
The 42
27-04-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Wales finish Six Nations with wooden spoon again after 32-point defeat to Italy
ITALY THUMPED WALES 44-12 in Parma on Sunday to condemn the visitors to the wooden spoon for the second year running in the women's Six Nations. Wales led after the opening half thanks to tries by Kate Williams and Gwenllian Pyrs either side of Sofia Stefan's effort. Advertisement But the Italians turned the screw in the second-half as Francesca Granzotto, Silvia Turani, Vittoria Minuzzi and Aura Muzzo all crossed for tries, with Michela Sillari kicking 14 points. It was a first home win for Italy in two years and a record victory over Wales, who lost all five games for the first time in their history. The Welsh women's wooden spoon added to the men's side also finishing bottom in their tournament completes a miserable 2025 Six Nations for Wales. Italy finished fourth in the table, behind third-placed Ireland but above Scotland in fifth. England survived a sparkling French comeback to win the women's Six Nations rugby union decider 43-42 at Twickenham on Saturday. – © AFP 2025
BBC News
29-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
‘We push each other': Sisters set to face England together
Two sisters are set to play together as Wales take on England in a historic Women's Six Nations rugby match on Saturday. Gwenllian Pyrs, 27, from Ysbyty Ifan in Conwy county, an experienced prop with more than 40 caps, will start the match, while her 19-year-old sister, Alaw Pyrs, a promising forward in the second row, is on the sisters had never played together until last weekend when they shared the field for 10 minutes in the match against Scotland at the Hive Stadium in Edinburgh."It's a new experience for both of us - but we'll just have to try to keep our nerves," said Gwenllian. Gwenllian is one of two changes made by new head coach Sean Lynn to the Welsh team that will face England, currently ranked number one in the world. The match will be played in front of a record crowd for any women's sporting event in added: "Rugby has always been part of our family. "Everyone has been playing since they were little."Despite the sisters occasionally "pushing and shoving each other around a bit in training", she said they always challenge each other to who began playing rugby with the boys when she was eight, said she looks up to her sister but is also highly competitive."She got her first cap when she was quite young, just like me," she said. "So, I want to push myself to be better than her." The Wales vs England match will kick off at 16:45 GMT on Saturday, 29 March, at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.A crowd of more than 18,000 fans is expected, which would set a new record for a women's sporting event in previous record was set in December, when just under 17,000 fans attended a Wales football match at Cardiff City the Welsh women's rugby team, the previous attendance record was 10,592, set during the final Six Nations match against Italy at the Principality Stadium last year.
