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Wales Women’s senior head coach Ioan Cunningham: “Our aim this year is to continue to build on the improvements we made in 2022. It’s an exciting time for women’s rugby in Wales.”
Last updated: 03/03/23 15:41
Twenty-five Wales Women’s rugby players have been awarded full-time professional contracts by the WRU for 2023.
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has doubled the number of players on full-time contracts with the Wales Women’s senior team in 2023.
The WRU have 12 players named on full-time contracts in 2022 and 17 on six-month contracts for the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, becoming the first female players to represent Wales professionally.
The investment means Ioan Cunningham, Wales Women’s Senior Head Coach, will now have 25 players on full-time contracts as he prepares his team for the upcoming Women’s Six Nations Championship.
WRU interim CEO Nigel Walker said: “Our aim is to put everything in place to create a world-class international program for women in Wales.
“The investment we made in the national program last year paid clear dividends on the field in terms of performance and results, and also in terms of the athlete development services available in the program.
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“It is important that we do not stop and believe that the increased investment in the program this year will pay off, not only to develop these players, but others who join the squad for training and tournaments.”
Cunningham, who pledged his future to Wales by signing a new deal at the 2025 World Cup, led Wales to third place in the Six Nations last season, their best finish since 2009, and the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup.
“We are delighted to be able to reward these players for their commitment and the level of performance and professionalism they have shown over the past year,” Cunningham said. “The initial contract enabled us to make significant improvements throughout the year, both in the Women’s Six Nations and finally to perform at the highest level in the Rugby World Cup.
Keira Bevan is one of the players who have signed a full-time contract until 2023
“Our goal this year is to continue to build on the improvements we made in 2022. We’ve made progress, but we know that all the other countries are also developing with contracts and full-time programs, so it’s important to keep moving forward.
“However, we also have one eye on developing the next wave of players ahead of the next Rugby World Cup in 2025. These are exciting times for women’s rugby in Wales.”
Who has been chosen?
Loughborough Lightning center Carys Williams-Morris continues with Wales thanks to her RAF Elite Athlete status, while the remaining 24 players have been named on full-time offers.
Wales full-time players under contract: Abbie Fleming, Cerys Hale, Kerin Lake, Lleucu George, Lowri Norkett, Megan Webb, Niamh Terry, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Alex Callender, Bethan Lewis, Georgia Evans, Gwenllian Pyrs, Keira Bevan, Kelsey Jones, Natalia John, Elinor Snowsill, Alisha Butchers , Carys Phillips, Donna Rose, Ffion Lewis, Gwen Crabb, Hannah Jones, Lisa Neumann, Robyn Wilkins, Carys Williams-Morris.
The 22nd edition of the TikTok Women’s Six Nations will be held between Saturday 25 March and Saturday 29 April, England looking to make it five consecutive championship victories after a convincing 2022 campaign when they beat France by seven points for the title.
The opening weekend will see Wales face Ireland (2.15pm) and England take on Scotland (4.45pm) on Saturday, March 25 before Italy host France (3pm) on Sunday, March 26.
Wales travel to Scotland on April 1 (5.30pm) and host England on April 15 (2.30pm), before traveling to France on April 23 (3.15pm) and Italy on April 29 (3.30pm).
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