March 22, 2024 - 316 views
Former Coleg Llandrillo student Gwenllian Pyrs will start for Wales Women in their Six Nations opener against Scotland on Saturday, March 23.
Gwenllian, from Padog near Betws y Coed, plays for Bristol Bears and will line up at loosehead prop at Cardiff Arms Park (kick-off 4.45pm).
Almost 30 current and former Grŵp Llandrillo Menai students have represented Wales or RGC over the past few weeks in a crucial phase of the rugby season.
With the Six Nations taking place at senior and under-20 level during February and March, plus friendly internationals preparing for the U18 Six Nations festivals, seven who have come through the college group’s ranks were called up to represent their country.
Former Coleg Llandrillo students Tal Taylor, Celt Ffrancis Roberts and Patrick Nelson all featured for Wales U20 men in their Six Nations campaign.
Current Llandrillo learners Dylan Alford and Greg Thomas both played for Wales U18 boys in their friendly internationals, while Coleg Menai students Leah Stewart and Begw Ffransis Roberts were called up by Wales U18s.
All four will hope to be involved in the U18 Six Nations festivals which get underway later this month. The Six Nations U18 girls’ festival takes place in Colwyn Bay from March 29 to April 7, with the corresponding boys’ event hosted in Parma, Italy from March 30 to April 7.
Leah and Begw played for the RGC U18s girls’ side who recently became the first team from North Wales ever to win a WRU Regional Age Grade competition.
They were crowned champions on February 4 after going undefeated in all five rounds.
Leah and Begw were joined in the regional U18 side by fellow students Saran Griffiths, Sara Mai-Jones, Ella Basinger (all Coleg Menai), Cadi Edwards (Coleg Glynllifon), Rhian Williams and Cari Evans (both Coleg Llandrillo).
Dylan and Greg also played for RGC U18s over the past few weeks, along with fellow Academi Llandrillo students Cian Owen, Robert Jones, Oliver Roe, Tom Farrington, William Kellett, Charlie Jones, Osian Moore, Aron Bown, Rhodri J Jones, Rhodri Ll Jones, Osian Woodward, Gwern Doherty, Ben Senior and Rory Williams.
Ollie Coles, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai / Welsh Rugby Union Rugby Engagement Officer, said: “As a Grŵp we are incredibly proud of the achievements of all present and former learners.
“The sheer number of call-ups is testament not only to the hard work of the players themselves, but also the dedication of various members of staff across the Grŵp in supporting these learners.
“Particularly credit must be given to Andrew Williams who leads our male Rugby Academy out of Coleg Llandrillo, and to Eon Williams who develops rugby opportunities across Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor.
“These achievements demonstrate the significant contribution Grŵp Llandrillo Menai provides in the development of players for both RGC and Wales age-grade sides.”
