Siwan Lillicrap
Lillicrap will continue playing for Gloucester-Hartpury in the Allianz Premier 15s despite stepping away from Test rugby

After the Rugby World Cup, Wales captain Siwan Lillicrap decided to retire.

She made her international debut in 2016 against Ireland.

Lillicrap was the leader of Wales.

She was one of the first to get a full-time contract with the Wales women's side.

"It's been a difficult decision because the red jersey means so much to me, but I think it's the right time," he said.

I'm grateful to have had the chance to fulfill my dream as a full-time athlete for the last 10 months because we all put so much into it.

Rugby careers don't last forever and I would never want to give the jersey any less than 100%," he said.

Ahead of a new Rugby World Cup cycle, it's time to step back as an international player.

She had been around the squad for four years and finally got her chance in the 2016 Six Nations.

She said she was honoured to be named captain three years later.

She produced some of her best performances in a Wales shirt, but she shone during some of the worst times in Welsh women's rugby.

A conveyor belt of coaches came and went as the public clamored for the Welsh Rugby Union to do more to support the team.

With Wales competing at the Rugby World Cup with a squad made up of professional players, the women's programme has never been in better shape.

She says the highs and lows of her international career are not as bad as they seem.

She said that every match means a lot to them as players.

I feel proud to have contributed towards the future and to be leaving the program in a better place for the next players to come through.

Winning away to Ireland and in front of a record crowd against Scotland is one of my career highlights this year.

The Rugby World Cup in New Zealand was the last one for Lillicrap.

Hannah Jones emerged as Wales' skipper of the future, as she had to cope with the death of her grandfather in the early stages of the campaign.

She says the six weeks down under will last a long time.

We showed we are capable of competing with the best teams in the world and that is a huge step forward in our journey.

I'm excited for the future of the programme and I'm going to give back to it in some way.

Lillicrap will play for Gloucester-Hartpury in the premier 15s

Siwan Lillicrap
Siwan Lillicrap leads Wales out against hosts New Zealand at the Rugby World Cup

The contributions of women's rugby were remembered by Wales head coach.

iwan leaves the programme on a high note He said that she has made sure the future of the game is in safe hands.

Her commitment to the jersey is second to none and she has excellent leadership skills.

I'm confident that we will work together again in the future.

iwan has been a great servant to Welsh rugby as a player and captain.

In what has been a period of huge change for women's rugby in Wales, she has led the side remarkably on and off the field.

Siwan was a great advocate for her fellow players during our transition towards professionalism last year.

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