Wales' Williams, and her dad, complete a remarkable journey

You would have thought that Kate Williams would be the one to declare the day she made her Wales debut as the best of her life, but it was in fact her dad. Proud Welshman Gareth had flown from Auckland where he lives and Kate grew up to surprise his daughter as she earnt her first cap in Wales' 31-5 over Ireland in the opening round of the 2023 TikTok Women's Six Nations.

Ad Williams, who was born in Swansea before moving to New Zealand aged four, came off the bench to cap a remarkable journey that has taken her from North Harbour to Cardiff Arms Park with a little help from her mum's mates. RugbyScotland centurion Hogg to retire from rugby after France World Cup3 HOURS AGO «My Wales journey began at the start of last year,» the 22-year-old said.

«I was just talking to my mum telling her how I had played for a few years with North Harbour and nothing was really coming from it and it would be amazing if I could play rugby back home, back in Wales. »She got on her Facebook Messenger group with her mates from back home and one of them got in contact with Ioan [Cunningham], the head coach.

«He sorted a Zoom call out for me back in February and then said if I was around in July I should come over and join in the pre-season. »And once I came over he said 'we'll keep you on the books for the Rugby World Cup because you will be over there if anything happens', and something did happen, I joined them in New Zealand in October.

«Rugby is my favourite thing to do, and I just committed, I came over here in January and have been training with them ever since. »I wasn't expecting to make the Welsh squad this year, let alone have my first cap, so I am just taking anything that has come my way as a positive and I am loving my journey so