For the first time ever, 12 full-time contracts have been accepted by female Welsh rugby players, ahead of Six Nations and World Cup campaigns in 2022.
The original announcement was that there would be 10 contracts handed out, but this morning Welsh Rugby Union announced an additional two contracts had also been signed.
Players awarded full-time contracts:
Forwards:
Alisha Butchers, Natalia John, Siwan Lillicrap, Carys Phillips, Gwenllian Pyrs, Donna Rose,
Backs:
Kiera Bevan, Hannah Jones, Jasmine Joyce, Ffion Lewis, Lisa Neumann, Elinor Snowsill
It’s the first time female players have been given full-time contracts, and the squad will continue to be bolstered by players on retainer contracts and other squad members.
The 12-month contracts have been signed ahead of a busy year for Welsh women’s rugby, with delayed 2021 World Cup set to take place in October in New Zealand, on top of the Six Nations starting in April.
Speaking to the WRU website, Performance Director Nigel Walker explained that the 12 players on full-time contracts can expect further support for their game.
“The historic awarding of 12 full-time contracts will enable all these players to be full-time professionals and have regular, weekly contact with head coach Ioan Cunningham, the rest of the coaches and our expert science and medical team.
“All of this will make a significant difference to the players’ preparation, fitness and skill sets in order to enable us to challenge the best teams in the world.”
