Veteran Prop Gwenllian Hale Retires from International Rugby
On February 28th, the Wales national rugby union team celebrated the retirement of prop forward Gwenllian Hale, who hung up her boots after a storied international career. Hale made her debut for Wales in 2016 as a replacement against Ireland during the Six Nations tournament. She was also part of the Welsh squad that competed in the WXV1 tournament in New Zealand in 2023, with her final test match being against Australia in Auckland.
Hale’s rugby journey began at the local club Pontyclun RFC, before she went on to play for the Dragons. In 2019, she switched to Gloucester-Hartpury, the current English champions, helping the team clinch back-to-back league titles. Reflecting on her career, Hale expressed gratitude towards her wife, family, friends, and coaches, stating:
“Your support has been the reason I played for my country.”
The tight-head prop’s retirement marks a “full-circle moment” as she transitions into a full-time role with the Dragons, the team she first fell in love with watching at Rodney Parade. Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham praised Hale’s achievements, acknowledging her selection for three World Cups and participation in two. Cunningham emphasized that Hale’s wealth of experience will be invaluable in mentoring the next generation of Welsh rugby players.
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