Latest news with #BranwenMetcalfe
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wales overcome Scotland in Six Nations Women's Summer Series
Savannah Picton-Powell scored twice as Wales Under-20s overcame Scotland 52-29 to land their first victory of the Six Nations Women's Summer Series in Caerphilly. Wales led 38-8 early in the second half and though Scotland threatened a fightback, the hosts finished with a flourish to open their account for the competition. Advertisement Scotland were first on the board through a Lucy MacRae penalty but Wales were not behind for long. Mollie Wilkinson was first to go over and the full-back started the move which led to her side's second score, finished off by Seren Singleton when the ball was switched from left to right. Wales' backs were in confident mood, with Marshall conducting them expertly, and Picton-Powell was next to hit a great line and crash over from close range. Captain Branwen Metcalfe then got in on the act, the No.8 taking a quick tap and go, shrugging off a couple of attempted tackles and barging over. Marshall's fourth successful conversion stretched the lead to 28-3. Advertisement Picton-Powell thought she had a second try on the half-hour mark but her score was ruled out by the TMO following a knock-on earlier in the move. Scotland then finished the half strongly and deservedly crossed for their first try when full-back Poppy Mellanby broke through before releasing Ceitidh Ainsworth to finish. The second period began with Wales back in the ascendancy and it took them less than three minutes to re-open their account through replacement hooker Rosie Carr, who found herself at the bottom of a dominant rolling maul. Picton-Powell crashed over for Wales' sixth score soon afterwards, twisting and turning in contact before stretching over the line, but Scotland responded quickly as Freya MacColl finished a neat move in the left corner. Advertisement After Sian Jones was sent to the sin-bin for head-on-head contact, MacColl turned provider for Scotland's next try, breaking down the left before feeding full-back Poppy Mellanby, who stepped inside her opposite number and crossed under the posts. MacColl crossed for her second, converted by MacRae, as Scotland reduced the deficit to nine points but Dali Hopkins burrowed over from close range to give Wales breathing space before Evie Hill's try brought up her side's half-century with the clock in the red. Wales conclude their 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series against Italy on July 17.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales U20s impress in comprehensive win over Scotland
Wales Under-20s secured their first win of the Six Nations Summer Series with an impressive display against Scotland in Ystrad half tries from Mollie Wilkinson, Seren Singleton, Savannah Picton-Powell and captain Branwen Metcalfe gave Wales a commanding 28-8 lead at Carr and Picton-Powell's second try extended Wales' lead early in the second half but Scotland rallied through Poppy Melanby and a Freya MacColl saw Scotland cut the deficit to nine points but Wales sealed victory in the final 10 minutes with tries from Dali Hopkins and Evie Hill to secure a 52-20Earlier England had beaten Italy 36-20 before France's 41-12 win over face Italy in the final round of matches on Thursday, 17 July (15:30 BST).
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Metcalfe promises strong Wales response after defeat in U20 Summer Series
By Phil Campbell Wales' U20 women's captain Branwen Metcalfe has vowed her side will be back stronger after falling to a 27-10 defeat to Ireland in their 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series opener. The hosts showed determination throughout the physical encounter, reducing Ireland's advantage to 10-5 and 15-10 during the match through scores from Savannah Picton-Powell and Seren Singleton. Advertisement But tries from Irish quintet Sophie Barrett, Robyn O'Connor, Hannah Clarke, Jemima Adams-Verling and Ellie O'Sullivan-Sexton ultimately put the game out Wales's reach at the Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly. However, Metcalfe insisted her charges won't dwell too much on the defeat and that they will work hard to improve before they next take to the field. 'We're Welsh, we'll be sure to keep going,' said the 18-year-old. 'I'm really proud of the girls for what they did today. 'We left everything out on the field, and I can't doubt anyone's intent. We are a really young side, so there's a few things we need to freshen up on, but I'm really proud of our efforts.' Both sides matched each other's intensity in the tackle during the opening exchanges, but Ireland were able to withstand Wales' early pressure as the game remained scoreless after 20 minutes. Advertisement Barrett and O'Connor gave Ireland a 10-0 lead midway through the first half, but Wales regrouped well, halving the deficit on the half-hour mark when Chiara Pearce, fresh off the bench, offloaded to the charging Picton-Powell to dot down. Clarke finished a cross-field Irish move seven minutes into the second 40 minutes, but Wales refused to give up the ghost, hitting back five minutes later as Singleton crashed over in the corner following good work to get the ball out wide on the right to reduce the gap back to five points. Metcalfe explained it was passages of play such as the one Singleton scored from that Wales can take as one of the positive from the clash. 'I think the way we move the ball [was pleasing],' she continued. 'Our intent too and the way we were running on the ball, we're working really hard, but it's just about the little bits to finish things off now. We can definitely do it.' Advertisement Amidst the driving rain, Adams-Verling, named Player of the Match, re-established Ireland's two-score buffer on 58 minutes before O'Sullivan-Sexton's late effort rounded off the scoring. Wales will be back in action on 11 July when they take on Scotland in the second match of the competition.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wales captain Metcalfe looks to follow in sister's footsteps
Rugby is a family affair for Wales U20 captain Branwen Metcalfe and she does not have to look too far for inspiration. The 18-year-old is determined to follow the same path as her older sister Nel and reach the senior team – but first she leads her country into the U20 Six Nations Women's Summer Series. Advertisement Metcalfe and her teammates have the opportunity to push their cases for full international call-ups when they take on Ireland this afternoon as the competition gets underway in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly. It is the second edition of the U20 tournament, which debuted in Italy last year, and despite suffering three defeats out of three 12 months ago, the Welsh class of 2025 are relishing the chance to showcase what they can do. 'I'm really excited,' said back rower Metcalfe, who attended Hartpury College. 'The girls have had a good few weeks of training, we've had a good team run this morning. We are feeling really confident going into tomorrow. Advertisement 'We are really positive. The girls have gelled really well today and it's so nice to see everyone from different places coming together to represent Wales.' Following on from the 2024 Women's Summer Series, 14 players across the six countries went on to achieve senior honours during the 2025 Guinness Women's Six Nations, including Branwen's sister Nel, 20. And Metcalfe, who is from Llanrwst and started playing rugby aged seven, highlighted the importance of the competition for giving players the opportunity to standout and to use it as a springboard to break into the senior team. 'Our pathway in Wales is definitely working,' she said. 'I have seen it myself personally, my sister is in the senior squad now, and it is really great to see how we've got so many youngsters pushing for places. Advertisement 'She has always been an inspiration to me. I definitely want to follow in her footsteps if I can.' With women's rugby going from strength to strength and the game on an upward trajectory, the 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series is a big chance for stars of the future to gain vital international experience, graduate along the development pathway, while also inspiring a new generation of rugby fans. Spread across three dates during July, Wales will also face Scotland on 11 July before rounding off their campaign against Italy six days later.
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales U20s name side for Summer Series opener
Wales Under-20s will begin their Six Nations Summer Series campaign against Ireland with a "mix of experience and youth" in their Coach Liza Burgess has named her team for the game on Saturday at Ystrad Metcalfe captains a side which includes senior internationals Gwennan Hopkins and Sian starting 15, apart from captain Metcalfe, have represented either Brython Thunder or Gwalia Lightning,Wales will play all three of their Summer Series matches at home in Ystrad Mynach with games against Scotland on Friday, 11 July (18:00 BST) and Italy on Thursday, 17 July (15:30 BST)."All of the players are eager to get the campaign underway against Ireland," Burgess said."We have a squad with a good mix of experience and youth."Our preparations for the Series have gone very well – and all of the girls selected are really looking forward to the opportunity to showcase their talents in our opening game." Line-ups Wales: Hannah Lane, Seren Singleton, Savannah Picton-Powell, Freya Bell, Nia Fajeyisan, Carys Hughes, Sian Jones; Stella Orrin, Molly Wakely, Elan Jones, Robyn Davies, Lily Terry, Branwen Metcalfe (Captain), Lottie Buffery-Latham, Gwennan HopkinsReplacements: Rosie Carr, Dali Hopkins, Evie Hill, Chiara Pearce, Jorja Aiono, Ffion Williams, Hanna Tudor, Mollie Wilkinson
