Wales prop Cerys Hale has announced her retirement from rugby following Wales’ Test win against Spain last Saturday that sealed World Cup qualification and a place in WXV2.
The 31-year-old, capped 49 times by Wales, retires after a career spanning more than a decade.
Newport-born Hale played in the 2017 World Cup in Ireland and in the 2022 edition in New Zealand.
Hale will continue to be involved in rugby in Wales as she will take up a role in regional rugby with her local club as Dragons’ women’s pathway manager.
“This was an easy decision after playing rugby at the highest level for most of my adult life, and it is time to move on and dedicate my time to my role with the Dragons and developing the next generation of talent in Wales,” Hale said.
“Playing for my country has been an honour and to play in two World Cups is something I look back on with real pride.
“To see the game go from amateur to professional during my career has given me a real insight to how much the game has changed since I started playing for Newport High School Old Boys when I was 11.
“Women’s rugby in Wales is in a completely different place to when I started, with professional contracts.
“With my role with the Dragons, I see how much talent there is out there now believing they can be a professional rugby player in Wales.”
