Rugby

Sioned to compete at World Cup

RISING rugby star Sioned Harries is surpassing her wildest dreams by being part of the Welsh Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign, which begins this week.
The 20-year-old flanker, from Aberaeron, is the second youngest member of the 26-strong Welsh squad and is delighted to be following in her older brother Rhydian’s footsteps, who has gained international honours at Wales Under 16s level.
Harries has been playing rugby since the age of eight, when she first laced up her boots for local club Aberaeron, before moving on to play for Newcastle Emlyn.
Being ferried around by mum Meinir and dad Ceri has obviously paid dividends as she has made rapid strides in the senior game over the past 12 months with UWIC in Cardiff, where she is now studying.
Wales have been pitted up against current World champions New Zealand, sevens champions Australia, and fellow southern hemisphere giants South Africa for the pool stages, and while that might faze most players, Harries is now looking forward to the demanding schedule.
“I think this is the best group to be in,” she said, “We’re in the group with the best teams in the world. We don’t get to play these teams very often, so it’s something that I’m really looking forward to.”
Wales currently posses a number of options in the back row, with Catrina Nicholas and Wales co-captain Jamie Kift vying for starting positions alongside Harries, but the young flanker is definitely in head coach Jason Lewis’s thoughts as he prepares to name his side for the first game against Australia on Friday, 20 August.
“Sioned is a very promising player,” said Lewis. “The greatest compliment I could pay her is to say that she is another Jamie Kift in the making. She is quiet, uncompromising and a very focused player, perfect traits for the back row. She is also very comfortable with ball in hand, but she is probably at her best in the contact area and tight play, where she thrives.”
He added: “For a young player she is very mature and has a no nonsense approach to the game. I think she will be an outstanding player for Wales in the future.”
Wales Ladies’ World Cup group: Pool A: New Zealand, Wales, Australia, South Africa. Fixtures: Friday, August 20: Wales v Australia, Tuesday, 24 August: Wales v South Africa, Saturday, 28 August: Wales v New Zealand, at Surrey Sports Ground.