2025 was a year of renewal for the Welsh women’s rugby team.

After the low of 2024, in which contract uncertainty and poor performances culminated with head coach Ioan Cunningham resigning from his role, the new regime under Sean Lynn has been similarly bumpy.

Wales ‘won’ the 2025 Six Nations Wooden Spoon and a first away victory over the ever-impressive Australia could not paper over the cracks.

While the likes of Canada, England, and France lit up the biggest Women’s Rugby World Cup to date, Wales were forced to watch from the sidelines after the ignominy of a group stage exit and final round defeat to Cunningham’s new side, Fiji.

One player who the last year has been hardened by the last year is Gwalia Lightning second row Tilly Vucaj.

It was only in the spring of 2024 that Vucaj – who was born in Surrey and moved to Talgarth as a child – captained Wales U18s at the Six Nations festival in Colwyn Bay.

Fast forward 15 months and she is making her senior debut off the bench in that solitary victory for Wales in 2025 in Brisbane, helping Wales secure their first win under Lynn with a 21-12 victory over Australia.

Vucaj’s rise to the Wales senior side has been dramatic, having impressed with Wales U18s and Gwalia Lightning in the Celtic Challenge.

Her impressive performances in training and on the tour of Australia saw her earn a spot in the World Cup squad, with her single appearance another off the bench against Fiji.

Vucaj is a key member of the squad regeneration that Lynn is keen to oversee in the Wales camp.

Of that 32-player World Cup squad, 10 were under the age of 23, with Vucaj one of four teenagers, the others being Seren Lockwood, Branwen Metcalfe, and Alaw Pyrs.

Pyrs and Vucaj line up together in the second row for Gwalia Lightning, whose young, tireless pack has been the backbone of the side’s impressive recent performances and also includes fellow Welsh internationals Maisie Daives, Molly Reardon, and Bryonie King.

Add in Metcalfe at Brython, and her sister Nel and Sisilia Tuipulotu at Gloucester-Hartpury, and Wales are set up well in the forwards.

At club level, Vucaj started her rugby journey with Gwernyfed RFC in Talgarth, playing for the Red Kits and Cardiff U18s before the Lightning.

A part of the famed Hartpury College, she has made herself an indispensable part of the Gwalia side, scoring tries in a defeat to Clovers and in their impressive 19-38 victory over Glasgow Warriors.

Wales have struggled to impose themselves physically at international level in recent years, but with Vucaj and Pyrs both providing the muscle, the future looks bright.

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