Ffion Lewis is relishing the prospect of donning the Wales equipment whereas making historical past as the primary lady from her nation to turn out to be a dual-code World Cup participant.
The 28-year-old performed for Wales in union on the 2022 Rugby World Cup and heads to Australia for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup in October.
Having overcome a severe knee harm and handled the frustration of not being supplied the prospect to resume a contract with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), Lewis says the previous few years have "been very powerful".
However having returned to the 13-a-side code with London Broncos, Lewis is "grateful" to have the ability to play in one other World Cup.
"It's been a journey this previous couple of years, been very powerful, however I knew I had a purpose in thoughts and didn't wish to hand over on myself, simply having the chance to exit and play," she instructed the .
"I didn't suppose I used to be ever going to nonetheless be able to put on a Welsh shirt, totally different codes [and] a really totally different path to the place I assumed I might be at this level in my profession."
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Lewis was a part of the Wales squad on the 2022 union World Cup and was set to play within the inaugural WXV event a 12 months later.
However she suffered a severe knee harm as Wales beat Italy within the 2023 Six Nations.
Since her restoration Lewis has performed for Brython Thunder within the Celtic Problem however, with no WRU contract, felt she had unfinished enterprise and "didn't need any regrets".
"I might have simply simply walked away from rugby at that time. I might have simply been like 'I'm achieved'," mentioned Lewis.
"However internally, I knew I wasn't, and I put a lot effort and time into coming again and getting again match, and I used to be solely 28, and I used to be like, 'I've nonetheless bought a lot time left', and I simply felt individually I didn't deserve my time to be achieved primarily based on another person's resolution.
"So I took a while, after which I simply set a purpose to myself. If I bought the chance to play rugby league, nice.
"If I had the chance to play union, I wouldn't say no. However this chance got here up, and I simply grabbed it with two arms, and hopefully now it's paid off."
Wales World Cup squad
Hannah Bluck (Cardiff Demons), Hollie Brussels (Warrington Wolves), Leanne Burnell, Katie Carr (each Cardiff Demons), Georgia Cussions (Huddersfield Giants), Bethan Dainton (captain, Wigan Warriors), Lucia Davies, Jasmine Gibbons, Zoe Heeley (all Cardiff Demons), Gracie Hobbs (Huddersfield Giants), Emily Hughes (London Broncos), Frances Layton (Cardiff Demons), Ffion Lewis (London Broncos), Carys Marsh (Wigan Warriors), Dani McGifford (St. Helens), Jade Mullen (London Broncos), Tayla Preston (Canterbury Bulldogs), Amberley Ruck (Cardiff Demons), Kathryn Salter (London Broncos), Paige Travis (St. Helens), Erin Williams (Cardiff Demons), Sian Williams (North Queensland Cowboys), Agnes Wooden (York Valkyrie).
Wales' World Cup pool schedule
- Saturday, October 17 v England, HBF Park in Perth (07:45 BST)
- Friday, 23 October v Samoa, CommBank Stadium, Sydney (07:45 BST)
- Sunday, 1 November v Australia CommBank Stadium, Sydney (04:40 BST)
