Thomas waves farwell to Wales following historic Italy victory

Wales front row Caryl Thomas bid an emotional farewell to rugby following her side's 36-10 triumph against Italy in the final round of the 2023 TikTok Women's Six Nations. Thomas re-joined her team in Parma just two weeks after her wife gave birth to their daughter and helped seal Wales' best place finish in the Championship for 14 years.

Ad In a career that has spanned 17 years, the 37-year-old won 65 caps for her country, and she closed the doors on her international career the same way she started it, coming off the bench against Italy for her swan song. RugbyMeryl Smith praises Scotland's 'clinical' improvementAN HOUR AGO «I'm a bit sad that I'm leaving in some ways because I want to keep going, but my body says no,» she said.

«A couple of girls had bets on me for how many times I would cry, but actually I've just had gratitude. »It's been amazing to be able to retire on your own terms, and to get a win and a performance like that is huge and shows how much we're progressing." Wales stormed to a third-place finish in the 2023 TikTok Women's Six Nations, picking up their first victory over Italy in six years in Round 5.

Bethan Lewis, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Sioned Harries, Alex Callender and Kerin Lake all crossed for Wales as Keira Bevan's boot added the extras. Star prop Tuipulotu and the Wales forward pack has been one of the most talked about aspects of the Championship this year, leaving Thomas thrilled with the prospect that Wales will only continue to rise up the ranks following her retirement.

«That's what you want, you want to leave the shirt in a better place and have people pushing on,» she said. «Gwenny P [Gwenllian Pyrs] Kelsey [Jones], Carys Phillips, Cerys Hale, Sisi [Sisilia Tuipulotu], they are a little