A French mum, ‘no good player’ dad and Welsh tears
Wales prop Stella Orrin has spoken about her emotional rise to senior international rugby, having made her debut off the bench against the Barbarians in June. The 20-year-old tight-head, whose mother is French, said the occasion was "the best day of my life so far" and that she was overcome with tears both when told of her squad selection by head coach Sean Lynn and when standing for the anthem at Twickenham.
Orrin, previously capped at Wales Under-18s and Under-21s level, could win a first full Test cap this autumn when Wales face South Africa, USA and Japan in the WXV Global Series, opening against South Africa on 18 September. She credited her rugby-playing father, whom she jokingly called "no good" as a player, for inspiring her to take up the sport at 13, and praised senior teammates such as Donna Rose, Gwen Crabb, Jaz Joyce and Lisa Neumann for helping her adapt to the senior set-up during her second pre-season with the squad.
- Stella Orrin, 20, made her Wales rugby debut against the Barbarians in June
- She could earn a first Test cap in this autumn's WXV Global Series
- Orrin credits her French mother and rugby-playing father for her journey
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Wales prop Stella Orrin came through the age-grade ranks, having previously played for Wales at Under-18s and Under-21s level before stepping up to the senior squad. She made her first appearance for the senior side off the bench against the Barbarians in June, an occasion she has described in emotional terms, including tears both at her selection and during the anthem. The 20-year-old, who plays in the tight-head prop position, has a French mother and an English father who also played rugby.
Her comments come ahead of a potential first full Test cap this autumn, when Wales are due to play South Africa, the USA and Japan in a competition called the WXV Global Series, starting with South Africa on 18 September. WXV is a global tiers-based tournament for women's national rugby teams, introduced to give more nations regular high-level fixtures outside the traditional Six Nations calendar.
Orrin has spoken about settling into the senior Wales set-up during her second pre-season with the squad, crediting established teammates for helping her adjust. Her progress is being watched as part of the broader development of young talent within Welsh women's rugby, a sport that has seen growing investment and profile in recent years.