Swansea RFC are proud to say that almost half of the newly announced first Wales women’s rugby professionals are from the former Swansea RFC Women’s team.
The historic move to award professional contracts to 12 of the current starting 15 players has just been announced. Swansea RFC would like to congratulate the players on being selected and especially to acknowledge the five players who came through the consistently successful Swansea RFC Women’s team. They are:
Wales captain and former Swansea captain Siwan Lillicrap (back row). 32 Wales caps.
Natalia John (2nd Row). 22 Wales caps.
Keira Bevan (Scrum-half). 38 Wales caps.
Hannah jones (Centre). 32 Wales caps.
Carys Phillips (Hooker). 54 Wales caps.
All the players awarded contracts have gone through a selection process described as clinical and “ruthless” and are to be congratulated on being part of this ground-breaking moment for Women’s rugby in Wales. Swansea RFC is proud to know that they have helped nurture these Wales capped players in the most successful Women’s team in Wales. Swansea RFC Women’s Team was disbanded in 2021 due to pressure to move its international players across the border to England teams making the continuation of a squad untenable. from its foundation in 2016 it was the dominant and best run Women’s team in Wales and consistently headed the league and cup competitions.
Speaking about the announcement, which is part of a WRU complete reorganisation of Women’s Rugby, Siwan Lillicrap said:
“This is going to change us, our lives and Welsh women’s rugby for this next 12 months and beyond. We are all so excited to start and that just shows what it means to us and for Welsh rugby, it’s massive.
“We are in a professional environment now, there are no excuses for us as players but we are looking forward to that opportunity. The aim is we make strides forward between now and the Six Nations and then we kick on again ahead of the Rugby World Cup.”
Lillicrap has now left her role as head of Rugby at Swansea University and is currently a player with Bristol bears.
Congratulations to all those awarded contracts.