Freya Bell continues Wales rise after catching the eye at Cardiff Met

Cardiff Met student Freya Bell has continued her rapid rise in Welsh rugby after being named in the Wales Women squad to face the Barbarians Women at Allianz Stadium.

Bell has been included in head coach Sean Lynn’s 33-player squad for the fixture on Saturday 27 June, which forms part of a double-header in London with Wales’ men’s senior side also facing the Barbarians.

It marks another significant step in what has already been a whirlwind year for the Cardiff Met centre. Bell made her senior Wales debut during the Women’s Six Nations against England at Bristol’s Ashton Gate, coming off the bench in front of a crowd of 26,247.

Her first cap came just a week after she had been vice-captain for Wales Under-21s against France at Cardiff Arms Park, underlining the speed of her progression through the Welsh pathway.

Bell’s opportunity with the senior squad came after injuries opened the door, but her performances for Cardiff Met had already caught the attention of Lynn. The Wales head coach identified her physicality, confidence on the ball and hard-carrying style as qualities that could translate to the international stage.

Reflecting on her breakthrough, Bell described the experience as “a bit of a whirlwind” after returning from injury and initially targeting a place back with the Under-21s.

“To make my debut against England was an incredible experience,” said Bell.

“I had been injured and was just hoping to be back for the Under-21s, so getting called up to the senior squad was amazing and I didn’t expect it at all. I just want to play more now.”

Bell added that Lynn had encouraged her to trust the strengths that helped her stand out at Cardiff Met.

“He has told me to just play to my strengths, to be a confident ball player and carry hard,” she said.

“I am quite a physical player who likes to tackle hard and carry hard.”

Bell’s inclusion continues a strong period of recognition for Cardiff Met women’s rugby, with seven current Cardiff Met students named in the Wales squad to face the Barbarians.

Freya Bell is joined by Maisie Davies, Elan Jones, Amy Williams, Chiara Pearce, Lucy Isaac and Anwen Owen, while Cardiff Met alumni Molly Reardon and Jasmine Joyce are also included in the 33-player squad.

It is another clear sign of the strength of the Cardiff Met rugby environment and the role the University continues to play in supporting the Welsh pathway. Through its women’s rugby programme, Cardiff Met provides student-athletes with the opportunity to compete, study and develop within a performance setting that prepares them for the demands of the game beyond university level.

The latest squad announcement also builds on Cardiff Met’s representation during the Women’s Six Nations, when current students Maisie Davies, Elan Jones and Savannah Picton-Powell were named alongside alumni Molly Reardon, Carys Phillips, Gwen Crabb, Lleucu George, Jasmine Joyce, Carys Cox and Seren Singleton.

For Cardiff Met, Bell’s rise is the standout individual story, but the wider picture is just as powerful. The number of current students and alumni involved with Wales shows the depth of talent within the Cardiff Met pathway and the impact the Archers continue to have across Welsh rugby.