Haverfordwest has seen many proud rugby moments over the last century and a half, but few will rival the sense of occasion when Wales launch their Women’s World Cup 2025 campaign against Scotland in Salford this Saturday.
For one of the town’s own, it will be a landmark day.
Lisa Neumann, the flying wing whose rugby journey began at Croesgoch Primary School and later Ysgol Dewi Sant in St David’s, is set to win her 50th cap.
From joining the Haverfordwest girls’ side before progressing into the senior women’s team in 2016, her rise has been steady, determined, and richly deserved.
Those early years were shaped by the encouragement of figures such as Neil Davies and Rachel Thomas at school, and Clodagh Llewellin at her first club.
From there, Neumann’s career has taken her to Sale Sharks, Gloucester-Hartpury, and Harlequins in the English Premiership, alongside international recognition that includes being named in the 2021 Six Nations “Team of the Tournament” and lifting a league title with Gloucester-Hartpury.
Her first taste of international rugby came in 2018, when she came off the bench to help Wales edge Scotland 18-17 in Colwyn Bay.
Now, fittingly, her 50th appearance comes against the same opponents, alongside another Ysgol Dewi Sant alumna, Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, who also reached the half-century mark at this World Cup.
Neumann is the latest in a long line of talent to emerge from Haverfordwest RFC.
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The club can already boast of Richard Summers, a pioneer who featured in Wales’ first international back in 1881, British & Irish Lion Peter Morgan, and Grand Slam winner Rob Evans.
Yet Neumann’s presence on the global stage has taken that legacy into fresh territory.
One of the original dozen players awarded professional contracts by the Welsh Rugby Union, she has fully embraced life as a professional athlete.
But the transition was far from straightforward.
“To go from a secure job and to take a pay cut to pursue your dream of being an athlete and a rugby player comes with challenges,” Neumann admitted, having paused her work as a senior clinical trials data manager in Manchester.
“It's a big risk, but there have been so many highs which is what keeps you going through all those lows.
“You just remember how much good you've had in that jersey, it's something that I want to keep doing.”
Her pride in the achievement is evident.
“It’s amazing to be here at the World Cup but to be able to play and get your 50th cap is just extra special. To be at a World Cup and to be with all your friends is amazing.”
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The road to 50 caps has not been straightforward. The constant miles on motorways, commuting from Manchester and later London, tested her resolve.
“It feels a bit surreal, but even all of my friends are wondering how you have managed this, your next game could be your 50th.
“I never thought I’d get to 50 with all the miles I had to travel when I lived in Manchester and travelled down to Cardiff.
“Equally, I’m in London now so I still do that time in the car. It’s been a massive challenge and there have been highs and lows, but I’m in an environment now where everyone gets on so well.
“We are all so close and connected as a group. We’ve all been through it but to have your friends by your side through to keep you going really does make a difference.”
That camaraderie has been a defining feature of this squad.
Even when Neumann found herself out of favour late in Ioan Cunningham’s reign as Wales head coach, she remained determined to rediscover her spark.
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A move from Gloucester-Hartpury to Harlequins last year provided the perfect reset.
“I wasn’t enjoying my rugby as much as I had in the past and the best thing I could have done was sign for Harlequins.
“I now play with a smile and they allow me to play really freely,” she explained.
“Playing with people like Ellie Kildunne [World Rugby player of the year] is just amazing.
“To be able to learn from experienced players like that is incredible and I've played some of my best rugby at Quins - hopefully I can bring that into a Wales shirt as well.”
The arrival of Sean Lynn as Wales head coach has coincided with Neumann’s rejuvenation.
The pair worked together previously at Gloucester-Hartpury, and his influence has been warmly received.
“Sean Lynn has been fantastic since he came in and everyone is enjoying their rugby. It’s the best environment it has ever been and it is just exciting for all of us,” said Neumann.
“As you saw in our warm-up games in Australia, there’s a lot of new talent. Lynnie has shown various combinations that could play.
“People are coming through, they’ve got a lot of flair, so it’ll be exciting to see what we can bring. We’re going to take each game step by step, tackle the first game then go onto the next.”
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The immediate challenge is Scotland, a fixture that has traditionally been finely balanced.
“Scotland and Wales has always been a close encounter, the last couple of games were really tight, so it’s going to be down to fine margins.
“It’s going to be down to the team that is on form on the day.”
Neumann added: “We’re going into the game to win it, but we know it’s going to be a battle. It’s going to be competitive, and no one can go into the game complacent.
“There are exciting players in the Scotland team, but we have the same. It’s going to be a massive, challenging battle.”
WALES (v Scotland):
Nel Metcalfe (Gloucester/Hartpury), Lisa Neumann (Harlequins), Hannah Dallavalle (Gloucester/Hartpury), Courtney Keight (Sale Sharks), Jasmine Joyce-Butchers (Bristol Bears), Lleucu George (Gloucester Hartpury), Keira Bevan (Bristol Bears); Gwenllian Pyrs (Sale Sharks), Kelsey Jones (Gloucester/Hartpury), Donna Rose (Saracens), Alaw Pyrs (Gloucester/Hartpury), Gwen Crabb (Gloucester/Hartpury), Kate Williams (co-captain, Gloucester/Hartpury), Bethan Lewis (Gloucester/Hartpury), Alex Callender (co-captain, Gloucester/Hartpury)
Replacements:
Carys Phillips (Harlequins), Maisie Davies (Bristol Bears), Sisilia Tuipulotu (Gloucester/Hartpury), Abbie Fleming (Harlequins), Georgia Evans (Saracens), Seren Lockwood (Gloucester/Hartpury), Kayleigh Powell (Harlequins), Carys Cox (Ealing Trailfinders)
