Gareth Thomas’s reign as Wales’s sole centurion will end on Saturday as one of the bastions of Welsh Women’s rugby gains her 100th cap. The crunch clash with Les Bleus will mark an historic day for the female game as Louise Rickard is set to make her one hundredth appearance for Wales Women.
Rickard made her debut for Wales Women in 1993 in the Canada Cup tournament against England and has been a stalwart of the side ever since. She has been on top form for Wales Women this season so far, notching four tries – last weekend’s victory over Ireland saw her gain her 32nd try for her country.
Tomorrow’s match will see her draw level on appearances with former Wales captain Thomas and Rickard couldn’t be more pleased to achieve this feat, and emulate one of her rugby heroes. Talking about her upcoming century Rickard commented, “I’m really excited about it. And to be on the same number of caps as Alfie, who is a really respected hero of mine, is fantastic.”
Gareth Thomas was full of praise for the Wales Women star as he commented, “It’s a fantastic achievement and I’d like to congratulate Louise. I’m sure anybody who knows about rugby and realises how important rugby is to both men and women would congratulate her. It’s a massive achievement and probably a bigger feat than mine. Welsh rugby for women is an amateur game and she has probably put a lot more commitment and dedication into the game than I ever have or ever will.”
Rickard’s international career has spanned fifteen years but the wing wizard is not prepared to give up yet. She adds, “I just want to be a part of the future of the Welsh Women’s game. In the last few years we’ve really come on well and we’ve won lots of games.”
And she is relishing the prospect of not only gaining her century tomorrow against France but also helping Wales Women to a second place finish in the 2008 Women’s Six Nations Championship. She concludes, “I think we can really show what we can do [tomorrow]. It could put us into second place and really put us up there in women’s rugby again.”
Wales Women take on France Women at Taffs Well RFC, Saturday March 15th at 1pm. Tickets, priced at £5 for adults and £3 for concessions, are available at the ground on matchday.
