The Nant Conwy rugby club sister act is set to take the World Cup by storm when the tournament kicks-off in England this weekend.
When Sean Lynn announced his Welsh squad for the competition there was no surprise when he picked prop Gwenllian Pyrs for her third World Cup and added her younger sister Alaw.
But he shocked a few when he went one step further by including 18-year-old back row operator Branwen Metcalfe into the mix to join her elder sister, full back Nel, in the squad.
All four girls took their first steps in the game at Nant Conwy and will be roared on at Salford when Wales open with a crucial clash against Scotland on Saturday by bus loads of fans from their home club.
“We are all very excited and immensely proud of the girls. There have been buses booked to take supporters to Salford for the opening game, and we know that whoever of the sisters’ plays will do their county, their club and themselves proud,” said Nant Conwy secretary Geraint Jones.
“My daughter played with Branwen in the Wales U20 team last season and all four are role models for the girls coming through our system.
“We have a thriving junior section, and a number of others have played age grade rugby for Wales.
“Their selection for the World Cup is a credit not only to the hard work they have all put in, but also the immense support they have received from their families and the coaches and managers through the age groups at our club.
“They show what can be achieved from a small club in north Wales.
“They have to travel four hours each way from training sessions in south Wales, but they never complain – they just get on with things and put in the hard graft that is necessary to succeed.
“That’s why they are such great examples to others at the club. They show what is possible.”
Both families are steeped in rugby and are stalwarts of the Nant Conwy club. There are four Pyrs brothers who have played for the senior men’s team, while Shenkin Metcalfe is another current 1st XV member who has been included in the Wales U18 squad in the past.
“We used to have to travel into England to play matches as the girls were growing up because they were just too good for most local teams we played,” said Jones.
“Alaw used to run through the opposition from the beginning, while Nel and Branwen always had too much pace for their rivals. They all started at the U8s and progressed through our ranks before we passed them on the RGC for regional input.
“There is a great spirit at our club and it is in a very special part of the world between the town of Llanrwst and the village of Trefriw.”
The Metcalfes were at home when Branwen got the call to say she had been included in the World Cup squad and was on course to graduate from being Wales U20 captain to a possible full capped player. Cue great excitement and celebrations!
“I hoped this might happen, but I tried not to get ahead of myself. I got the call when I was at home with my sisters and it was a very special moment for us,” said Branwen.
“We all started at Nant Conwy and we thank them for everything they’ve done for us. We started by playing mixed rugby with the boys and then at 12-13 we played for the local Hub team, which is based at the club as well.
“That helped to develop us and we have all just gone on from there. Nel has been in the Welsh set-up for longer than me and has always been an inspiration for me, so it’s just incredible that all four of us will be at the World Cup.”
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While Nel looks odds on to get a starting role at the tournament in the back three, Branwen will be battling with co-captains Alex Callender and Kate Williams, as well as the highly experienced Georgia Evans and Beth Lewis, for a back row spot.
“Words can’t even describe how proud I am of Branwen for all the hard work she has put in to get here, especially after having an ACL operation along the way. She fully deserves to be here,” said Nel.
“When she got the call at home there was a big scream, and she came running down the corridor and we all started jumping up and down. It was a special moment.”
Whether or not Branwen’s scream was as loud as Nel’s when she crossed for her second try in the win over Australia in Brisbane is debatable, but the sisters hope to have plenty more to shout about together at the World Cup.
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