'Proud' Wales captain Siwan Lillicrap retires from Test rugby
Wales captain Siwan Lillicrap has announced her retirement from international rugby. Lillicrap has been Wales’ skipper for the last three years, including at the recent World Cup in New Zealand. A versatile back-five forward, she won 51 caps and was among the first twelve players to receive a full-time contract with the Welsh Rugby Union.
“I am well aware that rugby careers don’t last forever and I would never want to give the jersey any less than 100 per cent,” Lillicrap, 35, said in a statement released by the WRU. It feels the right time to make this decision and step back as an international player ahead of a new Rugby World Cup cycle.
“We all put so much into the last year getting ready for Rugby World Cup, and I am grateful to have had the chance to fulfil my dream as a full-time athlete for the last ten months. It meant the world to be given the captain’s armband in 2019, and that honour was never lost on me.
“Every single match, even the tough losses, mean so much to us as players, and that was the case for me. I cherished every moment and I feel proud to have contributed towards the future, too, and leaving the programme in a better place for the next players to come through.”
Lillicrap will continue to play for Gloucester-Hartpury in the Allianz Premier 15s competition. Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham added: “Siwan has played a huge part in the development of our programme and has ensured the future of the game is in safe hands.
“On top of her undoubted playing ability, Siwan has excellent leadership skills and her commitment to the jersey is second to none. She inspires the next generation, and I am sure we will work together again in the future.”
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wel the crusaders were beaten by a queensland reds side that hadnt beaten them at home since 1999 and queensland reds partied like it was 1999
Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
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