Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Premier 15s final: Smiling Kelsey Jones hails Gloucester's Wales impact

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Monday, 12 June 2023 05:05

Kelsey Jones has one of the biggest smiles in sport and that grin became even bigger at the weekend.

The Wales hooker scored in Gloucester Hartpury's play-off victory over Bristol Bears, which saw them make a first Premier 15s final.

They will take on last year's runners-up Exeter Chiefs back at Kingsholm on Saturday, 24 June.

Jones says the achievement was made even more special by sharing it with some of her international team-mates.

"To play with my best friends, it's amazing," she told BBC Sport Wales.

"I am buzzing and smiling from ear to ear.

"And what's lucky for us as Welsh players is we take that continuity back into camp and you can see the progression we've made."

While Bristol Bears used to boast the lion's share of Wales internationals, there has been a gradual west country shift to Gloucester in the last couple of years.

There are currently 13 Wales players on the books, including current Wales captain Hannah Jones and former captain Siwan Lillicrap.

Bethan Lewis and Lleucu George joined Jones in the starting XV on Saturday, with Sisilia Tuipulotu and Lisa Neumann among the replacements.

Speaking after the match, Jones said: "The first thing I knew what to do after that 80 minutes was cry.

"The hard work that the girls have put in this year, and not just this year, but in previous years as well, you can see that we have built such a good team.

"I've always said we'll take one game at a time and here we are, we've got to the final.

"We will rest up, look after ourselves and then we've got a big week ahead to prepare."

Best feeling in the world

Wales prop and Gloucester lock Tuipulotu was also full of emotion at the final whistle, with a place in the final capping an incredible season for the 19-year-old.

She was nominated as one of the players of the 2023 Women's Six Nations having burst on to the international scene 12 months earlier.

"It's class. I am proud of my team and the performance they put out," she said.

"I've got to give it to the girls, we have had some new people in the team this year, but I feel we have got closer as a team and I guess that shows on the field as well as off."

Tuipulotu joined the players in signing autographs after the match and said: "I'm just glad I get to inspire little ones.

"I had a little girl the other day come up to me and say 'I started playing rugby because of you' and that really touched my heart," she said.

Read 105 times

Soccer

U.S. youth Figueroa signs pro deal with Liverpool

U.S. youth Figueroa signs pro deal with Liverpool

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsUnited States youth international Keyrol Figueroa has signed a prof...

Mbappé takes blame for PSG: 'I didn't do enough'

Mbappé takes blame for PSG: 'I didn't do enough'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsParis Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappé gets the credit when hi...

U.N. proclaims May 25 as World Football Day

U.N. proclaims May 25 as World Football Day

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFootball fans around the world will now have a day to celebrate the...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

NBA confirms key illegal screen call on Turner

NBA confirms key illegal screen call on Turner

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner was correctly called...

Nuggets' Murray fined, avoids suspension for toss

Nuggets' Murray fined, avoids suspension for toss

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNuggets guard Jamal Murray was fined $100,000 but avoided a suspens...

Baseball

Rangers 'break out' in 10-run inning, roll past A's

Rangers 'break out' in 10-run inning, roll past A's

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOAKLAND, Calif. -- Marcus Semien had four hits and five RBIs, and t...

Bellinger comes off IL, hits solo HR in Cubs' win

Bellinger comes off IL, hits solo HR in Cubs' win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs activated center fielder Cody Bellinger...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated