Pyrs sisters aiming to team up for Wales

When Gwenllian Pyrs and younger sister Alaw were named together in the Wales squad to face Scotland in a friendly earlier this month, history beckoned.

They were to become the first sisters to represent Wales since 2008, when Horgan twins Claire and Louise ran out against France.

With the stage set in Edinburgh and the Pyrs family poised in the stands – the moment itself was an anti-climax.

As Alaw came onto the field in the second half to win her first senior cap, so Gwenllian departed. Ioan Cunningham clearly had not read the script, but sister sentiment may not have been top of the head coach’s agenda.

Seeing the funny side, Gwenllian said: “I got to watch from the side which was quite cool.

“It was a really proud moment, not just for me, but for my family as well. She has always been at my games coming to watch me, so it's nice for her to have her chance to play.

“It would have been nice to play together, hopefully we’ll have the chance to do that in the future.”

That opportunity could come in the WXV2 tournament in Cape Town, with both sisters named in Wales’ 30-player squad.

Farm factor

Gwenllian, 26, and Alaw, 18, grew up on a farm in Conwy with their seven other siblings, but their paths into rugby were quite different.

While 36-capped loose-head Gwenllian only took up the sport at 16, second-row Alaw started playing in mixed teams (boys and girls) from a young age.

“Growing up she has always been a big, tall girl,” said Gwenllian.

“I know we haven’t played together on the pitch against people, but at home we’ve been messing around in the fields and she’s always been strong and physical.

“It’s exciting, there is so much potential there.”

Gwenllian, who used to train sheepdogs before turning professional with Wales, said growing up on a farm helped her and Alaw become the powerful forwards they are today.

“There are so many things on the farm to move, to be physically fit for, so growing up that transferred into rugby,” she said.

“I don’t think I gymed [went to the gym] before I came into the Welsh set up.”

Alaw is the taller of the two sisters at 5ft 11"

Alaw has impressed on the Under-20s scene and trained with the senior squad during this year’s Six Nations.

But while Gwenllian feels a sense of older sister duty, she also keeps her distance in camp.

“It’s quite hard because I feel like she needs to make her own friends here, but yes, I do try and look after her, but she’s her own person as well.”

Cunningham said Alaw is an exciting prospect.

“We’re lucky we’ve got her within our squad. There’s loads of growth in her game. She’s a natural rugby player, she kicks the ball as well, that might be something we’ll look at.

“She’s learning, taking everything on board and developing quickly and that’s the reason we wanted her with us. This time is gold, having four to five weeks together, that development is going to be huge.”

Asked if there was any sibling rivalry, he replied: “No, they’re pretty good actually, but it does get a little bit feisty if we do go live in contact, which is funny to see.

“They’re both excellent people.”