Shanelle Williams has already fulfilled one childhood ambition after making her Wales debut and now she is preparing for another milestone in Japan.
The 19-year-old former Gwernyfed RFC junior came off the bench in Wales’ 50-19 win over South Africa in the WXV Global Series in September.
As a child, Williams had written on her Christmas list that she wanted to play for Wales.
“I didn’t actually know that there was a women’s team,” the hooker said.
“I used to tell my dad that I was going to play for Wales with the boys.
“Then I obviously realised that I actually can play for Wales. Since then, everything I’ve done, rugby’s always been a priority.”
Williams had forgotten about the Christmas list until her older sister reminded her after she won her first Wales Under-18 cap.
“It’s quite a nice reminder that I have been working for this for so long, so it has all been worth it,” she said.
Williams started playing rugby at Gwernyfed aged eight, spending four years there before joining the Red Kites and later moving into the Wales pathway.
She went on to play for Cardiff Quins and Cardiff Rugby before attending Hartpury College.
Her father played a key role, regularly making the journey from home to Cardiff for training.
“Obviously I’m from Gwernyfed, so it was about an hour and a half down to Cardiff,” she said.
“He used to take me for training on Friday nights straight after school.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do it if my dad hadn’t given me that opportunity, so I’m very lucky.”