Lightning struck twice in the first two rounds of the 2024/25 edition of the Celtic Challenge, as Gwalia Lightning beat Brython Thunder home and away in the festive derbies.

A resounding 42-22 victory at Ystrad Mynach was backed up by a controlled 0-10 victory at Parc Y Scarlets, putting Catrina Nicholas-McLaughlin’s side top of the table.

With two rounds of the Celtic Challenge down, Sportin Wales takes a look at some standout names, as well as others set to catch fire in the coming weeks and months.

Carys Hughes

What a start to the competition Carys Hughes has had. The young flyhalf has a 100% record from the tee in two matches, kicking six conversions in the first round, and a penalty and conversion in the second.

A flyhalves’ role is not only about the boot and Hughes offers plenty in open play too, scoring a try of her own and laying on many more in the Lightning’s 42-22 victory.

In a tighter games, her control stood out in the reverse fixture. Hughes nailed pressure kicks and showed experience beyond her years to steer her side home.

Wales have two flyhalves – Kayleigh Powell and Lleucu George – playing regularly in the PWR, but Hughes is putting her hand up to be part of Wales’s Six Nations squad.

Maisie Davies

If Carys Hughes has had an excellent start, then Maisie Davies has been phenomenal for the Lightning.

Davies has scored a try in each of the first two matches, and has looked abrasive and dominant in the carry throughout the campaign.

Davies is a converted flanker-turned loosehead prop and has the all-court game to boot. Named MVP of the U20 Summer Series in the red of Wales, Davies made her senior debut for Wales last autumn and will surely be a large part of the new coach’s plans for this year and beyond.

With the likes of Sisilia Tuipulotu, Molly Reardon, Gwenllian Pyrs, and Davies all yet to reach their peak, Wales are starting to build some excellent front row depth.

Seren Singleton

Wales have quietly struggled for depth at scrum half of the last couple of years. The injury woes suffered by Ffion Lewis – who returned to the bench for Brython Thunder on the 28th – has meant that Wales have largely relied on Keira Bevan in the number nine shirt.

Through the Celtic Challenge, Wales seem to have found two more scrum halves who may well blossom into international level nines.

Singleton is an excellent technical scrum half, all the more remarkable considering that she only started playing rugby three and a half years ago.

The Wales U20 international has had a taste of an international environment already, having been called up as a development player by Ioan Cunningham for last year’s Six Nations, alongside two others on this list: Maisie Daives and Alaw Pyrs.

Alaw Pyrs

What stands out about Pyrs is her physicality. Younger sister of Gwenllian, Pyrs is a modern second row: combining power and size with rugby smarts.

Lightning beat Thunder in both derbies thanks in large part to their pack’s ability to consistently get over the gainline and put the Brython defence under pressure. No one did more in that respect than Pyrs.

With a number of Wales second rows now playing regular rugby – including Natalia John and Gwen Crabb at Brython, and Abbie Fleming and Georgia Evans in the PWR – Wales have plenty of second row options. Pyrs potentially offers something different.

Eleanor Hing

Despite losing both derby matches, Brython Thunder have show their quality, particularly in attack. The 0-10 defeat in the second match with Gwalia Lightning did not tell the whole story as Brython saw wave upon wave of attack repelled by the blue and yellow defence.

Eleanor Hing was at the heart of everything good in red and black. Her try in the first match was an excellent finish at the end of a flowing backs move and she was involved throughout, coming off the left wing to great affect.

Wales have struggled to get much out of their wingers in recent years and in Hing, they certainly have one to keep an eye on in the future.

Meg Webb

Another slight problem position for Wales in recent times has been their centre combination. With captain Hannah Jones clearly out of form in 2024, and Kerin Lake not offering the required pace, Wales cast around for alternatives. Carys Cox impressed briefly, while Hannah Bluck and George where also tried.

The return of Meg Webb from injury, therefore, has been a blessing. The Brython back scored on her return to international rugby in the autumn and has impressed in these first two matches of the Celtic Challenge.

With Bluck her teammate at Brython, and Lake a part of the Gwalia squad, Webb has the chance to show that she should be wearing the 13 shirt for Wales’s first match of the Six Nations.

Sian Jones, Molly Reardon, and Gwennan Hopkins

Forgive us for grouping these three together, but their development has so closely mirrored each other that it only seems fitting.

All three are Gwalia returnees and have looked a level above the rest in the opening two rounds of the Celtic Challenge. With Jones, Reardon, and Hopkins in the side, Gwalia must be considered one of the favourites to win the competition.

If 2024 was the breakout year for the trio, then 2025 may be the making of them as they all target starting roles in Wales’s World Cup XV in the autumn.

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