Army Rugby pride for Barbarian Dainton

Management from the Army Rugby Union have expressed their pride for having had the first Army female player be selected for the Barbarians.

Bdr Bethan Dainton (RA) may not have added to her tally of Wales caps over the past few weeks, but she will nevertheless have the opportunity to sign off the Autumn Internationals period in the most famous hooped shirt within world rugby, having joined up with the Barbarians ahead of Saturday’s game against a Springboks Women’s XV.

It is a star-studded squad, with Rocky Clark and Katy Daley-McLean just two household names out of a group made up of internationals from 10 different nations.

The Army Women’s Senior team provided the Barbarians Women with their first UK-based opposition in March 2018. Image © Alligin Photography, Scrumpix

Both ARU Vice-Chair Brig James Cook OBE (CASTLE) and Director of Women’s Rugby Maj Charlie Maxwell (AGC (SPS)) sending their best wishes to the flanker.

“On behalf of the ARU I’d like to congratulate Bethan on her selection,” Brig Cook said. “The Barbarians is one of rugby’s great teams and being called up is a huge honour for Bethan as an individual and Army rugby as a whole.

“I’m sure she will enjoy the whole experience and will be able to bring back what she learns into her club rugby and when she joins up with the rest of the Army team later in the season for the Inter-Services.”

Maj Maxwell added: “We are so pleased that Bethan’s hard work and determination have been recognised by being selected to represent such a world renowned team.

“She is such an inspiration, having represented at all levels of the game once again this season. We are truly proud of her and wish her and her Baabaas team mates the very best in their fixture against the Springboks on Saturday.”

The Barbarians are staging a double-header at Twickenham on Saturday, with the men playing Samoa at 14:30 and the women playing a Springboks XV at 17:15. Live coverage is on BBC One and via the BBC iPlayer.