Latest news with #NantConwy
Wales Online
a day ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
The sisters from the same club all named in Wales' Rugby World Cup squad
The sisters from the same club all named in Wales' Rugby World Cup squad Nel and Branwen Metcalfe join Gwenllian and Alaw Pyrs on World Cup duty for Wales Left to right, sisters Nel Metcalfe and Branwen Metcalfe with Alaw Pyrs and Gwenllian Pyrs (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency) One set of siblings in a national team squad is something of a novelty. Two pairs of sisters is even rarer. Having both hail from the same grassroots club is quite something, but that's exactly what happened when Sean Lynn named his Wales squad for this month's Rugby World Cup. Nant Conwy has produced two sets of sisters, with Gwenllian and Alaw Pyrs being joined by Nel and Branwen Metcalfe in the 32-player squad. It's a remarkable achievement for the understandably proud north Wales club. For context, you'd have to go back to 2008 for the last pair of sisters to play for Wales. The Pyrs sisters have played together before, with second-row Alaw making her debut last September to join her sister on the Test stage. Prop Gwenllian has been flying the flag for Nant Conwy for nearly a decade now. As for the Metcalfe sisters, the opportunity to play alongside each other is still ahead of them - with Wales U20s captain Branwen yet to make her senior debut. Normally, the question would be who is the better sister, but in this instance, it's which is the better set of siblings? "There's been no battles in camp yet," jokes Nel. "I'd maybe be quicker, but they're definitely stronger." Article continues below "They're two powerful women," adds 18-year-old Branwen, "so we can't compete! As for who is the better Metcalfe, that one is flat-batted pretty well by back-row Branwen. "We play two very different positions so it's hard to say," she says, skilfully avoiding stirring up any sibling rivalry. Branwen Metcalfe and Nel Metcalfe are in Wales' Rugby World Cup squad (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency) Counting for an eighth of Wales' squad, there's bound to be plenty of support from Nant Conwy when the World Cup kicks off this month. "I think a bus has already been planned for the second game against Canada," says Branwen. "It would be pretty special if we get to play." "It is incredible," adds 20-year-old Nel. "Clwb Rygbi Nant have always been so supportive of us, they've been a massive part of all four of our journeys. "We all started there. We all thank them for everything they've done." The pair came through in similar circumstances in north Wales, playing mixed rugby with boys for a while before moving on to play for Ceirw Nant Conwy from the age of 12. "It's a really strong girls hub," explains Branwen, "so that just developed us." "How far we've come now," adds Nel, "to think we're playing for Wales, is just incredible." Naturally, as you'd expect, both sisters are equally proud of each other's achievements. "Words can't even describe how proud I am," says Nel. "I've watched her work so hard, coming back from an ACL injury not too long ago. "I think she fully deserves to be here. She's worked so hard so I'm super proud of her." Despite impressing for Wales U20s this summer, leading the age-grade side in the U20s Six Nations Summer Series, the call-up for the World Cup still came as a surprise to Branwen. "I hoped (it might happen)," she says. "It was in the back of my head. "But I was trying not to get ahead of myself. One day at a time. "And then I got the phone call which was great. I was at home with my sisters. It was quite a special moment for us as I was quote shocked." Her slightly older sister offers up a slightly more detailed account of how Branwen reacted to her World Cup call-up. "Big scream and then she came running down the corridor," says Nel. "It was us and our younger sister. "We all just started hugging and jumping up and down. It was really special." For Nel, the World Cup offers an opportunity for the Gloucester-Hartpury full-back to build upon her two-try salvo in the historic win over Australia in Brisbane last month. The fixture at Ballymore was Wales' first away Test against Australia, with the 21-12 win handing Lynn his first victory as Wales coach. "That first game was an unbelievable experience," says Nel. "We just clicked as a team and scoring two tries is incredible. "I think we showed in that game what we can do. As a backline, we lit up. Hopefully we can do that in the World Cup. It was good we could score a few tries in Australia. As for Branwen, there's the prospect of a Wales debut in the World Cup - with all eyes on the crucial clash with Scotland on August 23. "It would be quite an experience," she says. "It's always been something I've dreamed of. "I've worked hard so hopefully I can have the opportunity." Article continues below Whatever happens, a small corner of north Wales is already mightily proud.
The Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Welsh club Nant Conwy boast two sets of sisters in Rugby World Cup squad
(Reuters) -North Wales team Nant Conwy are brimming with pride as two sets of the club's sisters prepare to represent the country at the Women's Rugby World Cup that kicks off next week in England. Nel and Branwen Metcalfe have been named alongside Gwenllian and Alaw Pyrs in Wales coach Sean Lynn's 32-player squad who open their campaign against Scotland on August 23 in Manchester. While the Pyrs sisters have played together before, it will be a new experience for the Metcalfes, with Wales Under-20s captain Branwen yet to earn her first senior cap. "I'm lost for words," Branwen told the BBC. "It's been a whirlwind year. 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," she added, mentioning Alex Callender and Kate Williams among her role models on the team. Sister Nel said "the family is buzzing." "People have asked, 'How do you feel?'. I couldn't be prouder," Nel told the BBC. "I've seen how hard (Branwen) 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." While Wales has had siblings before with the Horgan twins Clair and Louise playing together against France in 2008, having two sets of sisters from the same grassroots club is something to celebrate, said Nant Conwy Chairman Marc Jones. "Congratulations to the girls, their achievements are down to their total dedication and commitment," he said. Wales conclude the group stage with games against Canada on August 30 and Fiji on September 6. The team's best World Cup finish was fourth in 1994. They made the quarter-finals at the last World Cup held in 2022. (Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Ken Ferris)
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Welsh club Nant Conwy boast two sets of sisters in Rugby World Cup squad
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Women's Six Nations - Wales v France - Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff, Wales, Britain - April 22, 2022 Wales' Gwenllian Pyrs in action with France's Gaelle Hermet Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley/File Photo North Wales team Nant Conwy are brimming with pride as two sets of the club's sisters prepare to represent the country at the Women's Rugby World Cup that kicks off next week in England. Nel and Branwen Metcalfe have been named alongside Gwenllian and Alaw Pyrs in Wales coach Sean Lynn's 32-player squad who open their campaign against Scotland on August 23 in Manchester. While the Pyrs sisters have played together before, it will be a new experience for the Metcalfes, with Wales Under-20s captain Branwen yet to earn her first senior cap. "I'm lost for words," Branwen told the BBC. "It's been a whirlwind year. 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," she added, mentioning Alex Callender and Kate Williams among her role models on the team. Sister Nel said "the family is buzzing." "People have asked, 'How do you feel?'. I couldn't be prouder," Nel told the BBC. "I've seen how hard (Branwen) 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." While Wales has had siblings before with the Horgan twins Clair and Louise playing together against France in 2008, having two sets of sisters from the same grassroots club is something to celebrate, said Nant Conwy Chairman Marc Jones. "Congratulations to the girls, their achievements are down to their total dedication and commitment," he said. Wales conclude the group stage with games against Canada on August 30 and Fiji on September 6. The team's best World Cup finish was fourth in 1994. They made the quarter-finals at the last World Cup held in 2022. REUTERS
CNA
4 days ago
- Sport
- CNA
Welsh club Nant Conwy boast two sets of sisters in Rugby World Cup squad
North Wales team Nant Conwy are brimming with pride as two sets of the club's sisters prepare to represent the country at the Women's Rugby World Cup that kicks off next week in England. Nel and Branwen Metcalfe have been named alongside Gwenllian and Alaw Pyrs in Wales coach Sean Lynn's 32-player squad who open their campaign against Scotland on August 23 in Manchester. While the Pyrs sisters have played together before, it will be a new experience for the Metcalfes, with Wales Under-20s captain Branwen yet to earn her first senior cap. "I'm lost for words," Branwen told the BBC. "It's been a whirlwind year. 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," she added, mentioning Alex Callender and Kate Williams among her role models on the team. Sister Nel said "the family is buzzing." "People have asked, 'How do you feel?'. I couldn't be prouder," Nel told the BBC. "I've seen how hard (Branwen) 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." While Wales has had siblings before with the Horgan twins Clair and Louise playing together against France in 2008, having two sets of sisters from the same grassroots club is something to celebrate, said Nant Conwy Chairman Marc Jones. "Congratulations to the girls, their achievements are down to their total dedication and commitment," he said. Wales conclude the group stage with games against Canada on August 30 and Fiji on September 6. The team's best World Cup finish was fourth in 1994. They made the quarter-finals at the last World Cup held in 2022.
